Toowoomba homes, cars, targeted by criminals active in community

As residents across Toowoomba experience a spike in brazen car thefts and break ins, police say they are closing in on those still at large.

Toowoomba police hit the ground running in 2024 as property offences spiked across the city, with 11 alleged offenders already arrested, and officers closing in on others at large.

Last week police were called to eight incidents involving car thefts, and 20 break and enters, with some of the crimes committed in broad daylight.

A Toowoomba Police spokesman said during the first five days of 2024, officers arrested 11 people who they allege are connected to a spate of property crimes.

“Toowoomba Criminal Investigation Branch, Child Protection Investigation Unit, Toowoomba Property Crime Unit, and Toowoomba Tactical Crime Squad (have) conducted daily operations to locate wanted persons for property crime in an effort to remove the offenders from causing further harm to the community,” he said.

The Toowoomba Court House. Toowoomba City police station watchhouse. Picture: Peta McEachern

“This week alone these units have had the combined results - 11 offenders on a total of 49 property related charges.”

He said the alleged offenders who had been arrested - and those still outstanding - are known to police, and some of the property crimes were likely connected to a particular group of offenders.

The offenders involved in the property crime are adults and juveniles, he said.

One of the break ins occurred at a Meringandan property on the Thursday afternoon of January 4, after offenders forced their way into the home through a front door.

The homeowner took to Facebook appealing for anyone with information to report to police.

The man said CCTV cameras showed three people were involved.

“(They) trashed the house, stole keys to use car, house and shed, (and) stole all my wife’s jewellery which is irreplaceable,” he wrote.

“If it wasn’t for our neighbours it could be much worse.”

The police spokesman praised the residents of Toowoomba for their continued efforts to keep their properties safe, however noted some people were leaving their vehicles running and unattended in driveways.

“The security of motor vehicles remains a concern,” he said.

He said this week a man left his car for a moment to attend to his garage door.

“This lapse in security was all it took to allow thieves to enter the vehicle and steal (it),” he said.

Toowoomba residents are encouraged to lock their front and back doors when working in their yards or leaving home.