Burglars steal biscuits, milk, $20,000 worth of valuables in three raids on Pearcedale home in two weeks
BURGLARS who ransacked a Pearcedale home three times in two weeks have left its occupants living in fear.
The determined burglars’ bizarre heists included a first-aid kit, empty jewellery box and opened lipsticks, face powder, moisturiser and mascara. They also peeled a tin wall from a shed on their property to steal almost every one of the couple’s tools — many with sentimental value.
“They even took a packet of Monte Carlo biscuits and long-life milks from the fridge,” Maree, who did not want her surname printed, said.
Maree and her husband David returned from a holiday on Friday, March 18, to discover their well-secured home and shed had been burgled. It was then burgled twice more in the next two weeks, once in just a 50-minute period when the home was empty.
The alleged offenders had used bolt cutters to cut through industrial padlocks on gates and doors.
In all, items valued at more than $20,000 were stolen, including chainsaws, welders, screwdrivers, sockets, trolleys and even plastic tubs of screws.
“I keep discovering more things missing,” Maree said.
“It gives me a really uneasy feeling — you lose your sense of being safe.
“These people have gone through our things with no respect.
“I’m appalled.
“They can’t come and take things from people who have worked hard.”
Maree said neighbours and police had been wonderful since the burglaries, and their home was now “like Fort Knox”, even though they had thought it was already secure.
“The police have been incredible — absolutely exceeded all expectations,” she said.
Maree urged people to have audible alarms and to ask neighbours to keep alert for unusual comings and goings.
Police have recovered some of the couple’s items, but others are still missing, including most of the tools.
Detective Senior Constable John Melhuish urged people to mark and photograph their property.
“This makes it much easier when we recover stolen items,” he said.
Police have charged a man with a string of burglary and theft offences in Mt Eliza, Hastings, Langwarrin, Tyabb and Pearcedale. He will face Frankston Magistrates’ Court on April 14.