In the wake of a series of potentially avoidable thefts from unlocked cars, Dubbo police want drivers to know fines can be issued if cars are not locked.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Acting Orana Mid-Western Police District crime coordinator Sergeant Amanda Trindall said police could start issuing fines to people who don't secure vehicles.
"We also urge everyone to remove all valuable items from their cars before leaving the vehicle unattended," she said.
In recent weeks, unlocked cars were broken into on Carnoustie Drive, Brigalow Avenue, Nancarrow Street, Lindsay Place and Hammond Street.
About $700 worth of property was stolen from one of the unlocked cars, Sergeant Trindall said.
While locking cars makes them harder for thieves to access, locked cars have remained attractive to thieves in recent weeks.
A $3300 bull bar was taken from a vehicle parked outside Supercheap Auto.
Sunglasses and an alcohol interlock device, used to stop inebriated motorists from driving, were stolen out of a car parked on Websdale Drive. Another alcohol interlock device was stolen from a vehicle parked on Oxley Circuit.
An EFTPOS machine and someone's work keys were stolen from a van parked on Websdale Drive.
Handbags were stolen from cars after their windows were smashed on Queen Street and at the Discovery Caravan Park.
More theft and malicious damage incidents reported to police
- An ashtray was stolen from the front verandah of a property on Fitzroy Street between May 4 and May 5.
- Between May 3 and May 4 a white Nissan ute's front windows were smashed on Hazelwood Drive. There was no attempt to gain entry.
- A blue Yamaha child's motorbike was stolen from a garage on Baird Drive between May 2 and May 3.
- A group of unknown men, who appeared to be of Aboriginal descent, are accused of throwing rocks at a moving Mercedes Benz in Whylandra Street on May 2.
- Front and rear windows were smashed to allow vandals access to a vacant O'Donnell Street property on April 30. While inside the vandals smashed holes in the walls.
- Six windows were smashed at Dubbo Public School between April 29 and 30.
- A group of young people pushed a vending machine over at Dubbo Square on April 29.
- A wallet and laptop were stolen from a Palmer Street address between April 24 and April 29.
- Between April 22 and April 23 sprinkler settings were changed at Dubbo TAFE and a building was flooded.
