A Cranbourne family who just moved into the area says they feel unsafe returning home after a burglary suspect was granted bail within a day, with police refusing to provide basic details about the alleged offender.
Resident Eklavya Datta said he was “extremely disappointed” after learning the man accused of stealing about $57,000 worth of gold from his home had been bailed within a day.
He was told that the police found some cash, but not gold, and the alleged perpetrator claimed that he took drugs and didn’t remember who he sold it to.
“We are very disappointed that he got bailed so easily despite the huge amount of gold he’s stolen,” Eklavya said.
“We now feel unsafe. The police said that he got bail easily because it wasn’t a violent crime and things like that.
“They didn’t tell us whether he was our neighbour, whether he was from the area, or whether he was an outsider. He said, we can’t deal with those details.
“The police should give us information about where the man was from. Does he live with us? Is he a neighbour? Can we go to a better neighbourhood? Is he an outsider just coming here for crimes? Then we should have some basic information so we can make a decision. Move somewhere or not.”
The break-in occurred on Tuesday 3 February, while the family left the house for work in the morning, with the offender allegedly forcing open a rear sliding door and stealing Indian gold jewellery, bank cards, spare car keys and an old mobile phone.
Eklavya said his wife began receiving transaction alerts shortly after midday, tracing card use to Cranbourne Shopping Centre, prompting the family to rush home and discover the burglary.
The family, who moved into the neighbourhood just two months ago, is still settling in and hasn’t even installed security cameras.
“We were told it’s a safe area,” Eklavya said.
Many gold items are said to be ancestral and convey high emotional value, Eklavya said.
“That’s why my wife is emotionally traumatised by the incident.”
Victoria Police informed that if the offender was bailed, this matter is before the court, so they cannot provide a comment.
They cannot provide information such as an offender’s suburb and their bail conditions due to privacy legislation.
The victim would have received a Notice to the Victim letter with the information about the incident, and can speak to the informant for updates about the matter.
