<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>338213</docID> <postdate>2025-02-13 10:17:43</postdate> <headline>Unlocked homes give car thieves the keys</headline> <body><p><strong>There have been 147 stolen motor vehicle reports already this year, with the majority taken after offenders gained access to car keys via unlocked homes.</strong></p> <p>Police say some offenders have been arrested and charged multiple times this year for vehicle theft and burglary.</p> <p>Thieves are entering homes via unlocked doors and windows or through internal doors from garages, police say. Easy-to-locate items including bags, wallets, phones and car keys are then stolen. In many instances the car at the residence is also taken.</p> <p>Insp Elizabeth Swain said: “If you have a car worth $40,000, you should consider your car keys as also being worth $40,000.</p> <p>"Please make sure keys are stored in a secure place in your home and that all doors and windows are locked when you are not there, as well as overnight.</p> <p>“Modern cars are not easy to steal without the keys – so criminals have adapted their actions to get those keys.</p> <p>“We are also aware that some insurance companies are denying claims where homes are not locked, and car keys and cars are taken.</p> <p>“We are doing our best to apprehend these offenders – with some people being arrested and charged multiple times this year for vehicle theft and burglary. But we need every resident to do their bit to make it as hard as possible for these thieves.â€</p> <p><em>Advice on home security <a href="https://police.act.gov.au/crime-and-prevention/property-crime-prevention" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.</em></p> </body>