By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
A newly-married couple setting up home together had wedding presents stolen in a spate of thefts targeting people moving home.
Police said the newly-weds, who had just returned from their honeymoon, were one of two Casey families to be hit while they were in the process of moving into their new homes.
Detective Senior Constable Michelle Chiang from the Narre Warren police said: “People moving houses are easy targets for burglaries, because everything’s boxed up ready to go.”
Thieves stole several boxes from the couple’s home in Cradle Avenue, Clyde, between 4pm and 6pm on Saturday 9 January.
“It was a two-hour turnaround from going to get the next load and they had just returned from their honeymoon that morning – it was all brand new stuff and wedding presents,” Sen Const Chiang said.
The previous night a Caucasian male driving a black Commodore was seen leaving the address in Endeavour Hills around the time of the burglary at midnight on Friday 8 January.
Sen Const Chiang said “pretty much everything was stolen” from the Power Street home.
“A BBQ, TV, washing machine and some boxes.”
The raider forced their way in to the property through a rear timber window and Sen Const Chiang urged anyone moving in or out of the area to be vigilant.
“It’s a small trend occurring in Casey and it’s something people who are moving house need to be wary of,” she said.
“If you’re moving house keep garage doors locked and be vigilant at both addresses and watch who is driving past and who’s observing you.
“Try and organise someone to stay at the house with the boxes while the other person does the picking and dropping off because it’s easy to forget boxes when your moving dozens of them and often people don’t realise they are missing until they need it.”
She appealed for witnesses to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
