Burglars on the prowl
Kimberley police are urging residents to ensure their properties are secure at all times and to report suspicious behaviour after a spate of burglaries.
In the past week-and-a-half, at least four residential properties in Kununurra and three businesses have been hit or been the target of an attempted break-in.
In Wyndham, police have recently charged seven offenders with a combined 43 offences related to five alleged burglaries and four stolen cars.
The Kununurra incidents include a house on Hibiscus Drive on March 23, a vacant property on Casuarina Way the next night and a house on Ironwood Drive on March 27.
In Wyndham, they include Thorley Store, Wyndham Motors, the Post Office, Ngnowar-Aerwah Aboriginal Corporation and one private residence.
Kununurra police Sergeant Phil Heathcoat said the break-in at Ironwood Drive was particularly disturbing because the female victim woke at about 3.30am to two teenage males in her bedroom.
"She screamed and they ran out," he said.
"Because it is still quite warm there are a lot of people still out on the streets and moving around in the early hours of the morning.
"We don't want to scare people but they still need to lock their doors and windows, have security lights and don't leave valuable items in view."
However, Sgt Heathcoat said it wasn't an unlocked door that contributed to the Ironwood Drive incident. Instead, it appeared the offenders had broken through a bathroom window.
"We've done forensics at the property and inquiries are continuing," he said.
No charges have been laid in relation to any of the Kununurra incidents.
Police are continuing to investigate three commercial break-ins in the early hours of March 25 of the Ewin Childcare Centre, Ivanhoe Caravan Park office and Kimberley Grande reception.
Sgt Heathcoat said although the offenders were unable to get into the Grande, they made off with cash from the caravan park office.
He said police were dismayed by the senseless actions of offenders at the Ewin Centre where broken glass littered the carpets, creating a danger to the children.
"Obviously someone has gone in for a look, but it's not the type of place you would expect money to just be left lying around," he said.
Wyndham Police Station officer-in-charge Sergeant Gene Wright said the five alleged burglaries in the town took place between March 12 and March 30.
He said property including televisions, PlayStations, jewellery and cars had been taken, but police had since recovered some items.
Two of the cars allegedly stolen were recovered locally and a third was located in Katherine.
Sgt Wright said three juveniles had been charged in relation to the stolen vehicle after being apprehended by Katherine police.
A Toyota Rav4 stolen from Ngnowar-Aerwah Aboriginal Corporation has not yet been recovered.
Anyone with information on any of the break-ins or the whereabouts of the missing silver Rav4 can contact Kununurra police on 9166 4530 or Wyndham police on 9161 0400.
