Wiltshire Dr, Gordonvale hit three times for property offences in week

A property crime victim, part of a string of addresses hit in one street, was perplexed at the “carefree” behaviour of the alleged offenders. SEE THE PHOTOS

THE unruffled and “carefree” manner in which a group of youths allegedly targeted multiple houses in a “safe” and secluded street left one the victim resident perplexed.

Wiltshire Dr at Gordonvale is on the fringe of the southern town, well away from any common public areas and described as “quiet” by residents.

However, in the space of one week, it was targeted three times with one resident, who asked not be named, sharing security camera photos of the alleged offenders.

The Wiltshire Dr resident said about 2am, on January 21 a group of five youths attempted to pry open the doors of the cars parked on his driveway. When unsuccessful, he said they allegedly attempted to pry open his front door, and then cut open the security screen on a back door.

A Gordonvale resident's cameras picked up a group of youths allegedly attempting to break into his house.

He said all attempts to gain entry were unsuccessful, however all doors, including those of the cars were damaged.

But it was their behaviour at his elevated property that surprised him the most.

“They spent about 15 minutes here, and they were just so casual, carefree about it,” he said.

“They took one pair of shoes sitting outside, but not the other because it wasn’t the right size.

“There was no sense of urgency, at one point it looked like they were taking in the view (towards Cairns). It was like they’re not afraid to be caught.”

Police attended the address later that day and spokeswoman confirmed a 15-year-old boy was charged with burglary and attempted burglary offences following investigations into reports from the public.

“Police will allege three addresses on Wiltshire Dr were targeted between January 15 and January 21 by a group described as approximately five youths,” the spokeswoman said.

A Gordonvale resident's cameras picked up a group of youths allegedly attempting to break into his house.

“A 15-year-old boy will appear in court next month while investigations are ongoing to identify others believed involved in the incidents.”

Fellow Wiltshire Dr resident and schoolteacher Katie Quinn said it was “shocking” to hear “how close to home crime had come.”

“I’ve got two young boys and my husband is FIFO so I’m now fearful of something happening to our family,” she said.

“My sister-in-law lives just down the road and my nephew’s bike was stolen in broad daylight recently, when they were unpacking the car.

“That makes you feel quite uncomfortable.

“We’ve been here almost 10 years and always thought it was a quiet and safe area, but hearing about (my neighbour), it’s quite upsetting and quite scary really.”

Originally published as Wiltshire Dr, Gordonvale hit three times for property offences in week