Residents of a Maidstone Street woke on Wednesday morning August 20 to find that thieves had again broken into vehicles parked outside their homes.
It’s believed a man and a woman smashed the windows of three vehicles parked on Madden Street between 5.20am and 6.30am, stealing laptops, a backpack and a cordless drill.
Police are investigating the incident which is believed to be the latest in a series of attacks on vehicles parked on the street.
Sarah Portelli and her partner Zach have been house sitting at his parent’s Madden Street home for 18 months while they travel overseas.
Ms Portelli said Zach’s Ford Ranger ute was broken into for the second time in 12 months.
“Twice in the last year and a previous time when he lived here with his family,“ she said of the three times her electrician partner’s work vehicle had been broken into while parked on the street.
Unlike previous attacks, none of Zach’s tools were stolen on Wednesday morning, but thieves still smashed the passenger’s side window and took a laptop and Ipad from inside.
“It is very frustrating and very scary as well” said Ms Portelli of the most recent attack which happened right outside the couple’s bedroom window.
“The fact that is happening repetitively meters away from our head is worrying.“
When asked if the area had become less safe since she and her partner moved in, Ms Portelli was emphatic.
“Oh yeah absolutely. My partner’s actually going to Adelaide this weekend and I refuse to be here on my own, I’m going to my mum’s house.”
Ms Portelli is also pregnant with the couple’s first child and said the latest break in happening when they were trying to save money was especially frustrating.
“It cost about $500 to 600,“ she said of the repairs to Zach’s ute which had to be done the same day.
With his parents soon return, Ms Portelli said she and Zach were looking forward to moving elsewhere before the birth of their child.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
