Burglaries spark warning

Police have urged Albany residents to secure their homes after an unusual series of burglaries in Spencer Park. Albany police Sgt Greg Webb said three home break-ins since Sunday night shared a common thread — mains power to each of the properties had been switched off. The first of the three burglaries occurred on Tomlinson Crescent and was reported to the police yesterday. According to Sgt Webb, nothing was taken after a window was smashed to gain entry, alerting the residents and in turn putting the perpetrator off. He said after the police attended the scene they noticed a broken window at a property in nearby Wooderson View, which was vacant at the time. “The owners are coming to check it as we speak to help police compile a list of what was stolen,” he said. Another burglary on Wilson Street was reported yesterday morning. “We have yet to visit the property,” Sgt Webb said. “But they reported a break-in through the office room window, with some items taken including a wallet.” Sgt Webb said the power was turned off at the mains during all three break-ins. This could prevent residents from turning on a light, while possibly deactivating other security devices, including closed-circuit television. “The recent burglaries and activity indicates a bit of a change in entry style,” he said. “So this could potentially mean new criminals that we haven’t come across before. “Or maybe it’s something that has just been recently learned. “But it is just a little out of the ordinary.” He advised homeowners and the public to remain vigilant with home security. “Pay attention to your house and pay attention to your security, and if you think it looks like it would be easy to break into, make it a little harder,” he said. “Things like not leaving your valuables near windows and plain site may prevent them from being targeted.”