Barrier Daily Truth, Broken Hill's Daily Newpaper: Crime spree worries cops

Crime spree worries cops

Monday, 30th January, 2012

By Kurtis Eichler

Extra police are being deployed to patrol the streets at night after a spate of burglaries at the weekend.

In Blende Street thieves broke into a house and stole $10,000 worth of items including two large televisions. The house was also vandalised by the thieves, police said.

Houses in Galena, Cobalt and Cornish streets were also robbed as well as a home in Oxide Street where the offenders caused $4000 damage, the police said.

An elderly couple at a home in Hebbard Street had their ute stolen along with $200 in cash while they slept in the early hours of Saturday morning. The ute was later found abandoned.

Around the same time, a Pell Lane homeowner allegedly saw a young Aboriginal man trying to break into his neighbour’s vehicle.

Police also reported that a black and red Honda motorbike, valued at $10,000, was stolen from a store in Argent Street after the thieves broke in through the front door.

Attempts were also made on the weekend to break into a delicatessen in Brookfield Avenue which was held up by armed robbers late on Thurday night.

Detective Inspector Mick Stoltenberg said that in response to the crime wave, more police were being deployed to so-called ‘hot spots’ across the city and known suspects were being investigated.

DI Stoltenberg said it was “disappointing” that offences like these were happening and that police suspected some of the criminals were from out of town.

“It’s obvious that there are new personalities in town who are going out on these crime sprees,” he told the BDT.

“Broken Hill’s just not that type of town.

“It’s really concerning for police because some of these offences are happening at homes with people inside.

“It’s fraught with danger for the community.”

He said police also anticipated that more crimes of this type would be committed and he urged people to make sure their homes were locked and property secured.