Police concerned after thieves swooped on dumped property

Thieves swooped on remote control planes dumped after they were stolen from a Rangeville home, complicating a police investigation. Officers have requested that the planes be returned.

A police investigation into a string of Toowoomba burglaries was hampered after opportunistic thieves stole dumped evidence.

Sometime late Monday thieves entered through an unlocked garage door at a Rangeville home and stole the occupant’s car.

Senior Contestable James Dolley said there was a collection of remote controlled planes in vehicle at the time.

“The offenders have dumped the planes in front of the Toowoomba Showgrounds,” he said.

“The fella that lives across the road as seen them, taken a photo and posted it on the Toowoomba Crime Alerts Facebook page.”

Officers immediately saw the post and drove out to the Showgounds to collect the evidence but arrived to find it gone.

Police issue warning after opportunistic thieves steal burglary evidence after it was dumped near the Toowoomba Showgrounds entrance.

“Within half an hour someone has stolen the planes,” Const Dolley said.

Const Dolley asked for the items to be returned to the Toowoomba Police Station.

“You cannot go and claim someone’s property,” he said.

“That is stealing by finding.”

While Const Dolley said the resident was probably well meaning by posting the photo to Facebook, it would have been more constructive to report the matter to police first.

If you see anything suspicious, including unattended piles of valuable property phone Policelink 131 444 or Crime Stoppers in 1800 333 000.