IT is scary when, in a small country town such as Oberon, your house can be broken into and robbed even when you are at home.
The Oberon community is in shock following a string of senseless break-ins that occurred last Thursday. Several houses were targeted by a group of thieves and witnesses say all members of the group were males.
Oberon Police were called out to several break, enter and steal incidents on Thursday morning between 1am and 3am.
Police said several residents were at home when the break-ins occurred.
There were multiple break-ins involving houses in Brennan Crescent. A Brennan Crescent resident told police that she heard male voices at her front and rear doors before finding her garage door open and several items missing from her car.
A 61-year-old resident in nearby Ross Street woke around 3am to hear two males inside her house. She said they entered the premises through a side gate, forced a window open and stole a drawer full of personal items, her wallet and her car keys. The resident called police and the men left via the front door.
A husband and wife were asleep in their Balfour St home with their son in another room when they woke around 3am to hear a vehicle driving away from the house. The thieves entered through a loungeroom window. The family then discovered that their taxi had been taken by the thieves. The taxi has been recovered.
Another break in occurred on Nurse Fox Crescent, where resident Lorraine Cooper woke to find her back sliding door open, desk drawers open and a hand bag and purse missing. She later found her handbag near her back gate with its contents tipped onto the ground. The purse and its contents were found strewn across the road and in neighbours' gardens. All that was stolen was $50 and a packet of cigarettes.
Lorraine's car which was parked in the carport had also been been ransacked by the thieves.
Lorraine said the thing that frightens her most, as with many of the other incidents on the same night, is the fact she was in her home with her family.
“It is really unnerving. It's frightening that they were in here and I didn't hear a thing,” she said.
Lorraine thanked the people who returned the cards and contents of her purse found after the break-in.
Oberon police, and the Target Action Group are investigating the break-ins, conducting forensic investigations and attempting to establish the identity of the thieves responsible through profiling and other means.
Police urge Oberon residents not to be alarmed, but to exercise caution and diligence when it comes to securing their homes.
Oberon residents should keep windows and doors locked, even when they are at home, especially in the evening and night.
Residents are also advised to lock cars and to place valuables out of sight in houses and cars to avoid temptation. Police said residents should be vigilant in recognising and alerting police of any suspicious activity.
Break-in victims have supplied police with brief descriptions of the thieves. The men may have distinct New Zealand accents and were seen wearing hooded jackets at the time of the offences.
Members of the Oberon community are urged to contact police with any information that may be related to the break-ins. Contact Oberon Police ph 63361000, Bathurst Police 6332 8699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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