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There's been another series of thefts from unlocked vehicles, this time in east Warrnambool.
Warrnambool crime investigation unit detectives have received reports of at least five cars being ransacked overnight Tuesday.
Detective Senior Constable Ross Hatton said there were three crimes reported in Emma Avenue as well as offences in Fairfax Avenue and Ilex Avenue in the area east of Fletcher Jones.
He requested anyone who had been the victim of thefts from their vehicles to report the offence immediately to detectives at the CIU on 5560 1153.
In mid June police said vehicle owners were causing police unnecessary headaches enabling thieves to steal from their unlocked cars.
There were 14 thefts from unlocked vehicles at that time.
"Locking your vehicle and securing your keys should be an automatic action for all owners," Detective Sergeant Andrew Raven said, adding that thefts from vehicles were crimes of opportunity and removing the opportunity - locking your car - went a long way to preventing such crime.
Detective Sergeant Raven said it appeared the offenders had walked along Merrivale Drive and checked the doors of every vehicle - offending called "creeping".
Mid June: Vehicle owners are causing police unnecessary headaches enabling thieves to steal from their unlocked cars.
Police don't want to prosecute owners - although they can - but are strongly urging people to lock their vehicles.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Raven, of the Warrnambool police crime investigation unit, said thefts from vehicles were crimes of opportunity and removing the opportunity - locking your car - went a long way to preventing such crime.
Police also said that 75 per cent of cars were stolen with their own keys.
"Locking your vehicle and securing your keys should be an automatic action for all owners," Detective Sergeant Raven said.
There were 14 thefts from motor vehicles in Merrivale overnight Tuesday - and all those vehicles were unlocked.
The offences happened along Merrivale Drive and off-shoot streets, such as Wilson Street, Duirs Street, Davis Street and Silesia Court.
Detective Sergeant Raven said it appeared the offenders had walked along Merrivale Drive and checked the doors of every vehicle - offending called "creeping".
"You can follow the path where they have gone," he said.
"These offenders are walking the streets and taking opportunities as they present themselves.
"There was fortunately not a lot of property stole, some cash, a bag was rifled through, smaller items taken.
"In the past we've seen bank and credit cards stolen and used. Anything of value will be stolen, such as mobile phones, iPads, handbags."
The investigator called for all victims to come forward and report what had happened to police.
"We're also after security camera footage from that area," he said.
"CCTV is a massive part of our investigative tool set. We would ask anyone with security camera footage to check between 10.30pm Tuesday and 5am Wednesday for anyone walking the streets.
"These offenders may have been walking, on bikes or in cars. What doesn't seem that important to a resident could be crucial to investigating police."
Detective Sergeant Raven said it was also essential keys were not left in vehicles, even keys to other cars.
"The request is pretty simple - take your valuables out of your car when you get home from work and lock your vehicle," he said.
"It's that easy and those actions will go a long way to preventing these crimes.
"This offending will consume the Warrnambool CIU detectives for today and coming days - and it can be prevented.
"Park off-street also helps reduce the temptation for thieves."
Similar series of thefts from vehicles are regularly reported in Hamilton and Portland.
A fortnight ago three loaded firearms were stolen from an unlocked ute in Hamilton, causing a public plea which led to the firearms and other stolen property being found within an hour.
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