April 26, 2013
Murgon police have charged five teenagers after a car was stolen from Chataway Street in Murgon about 10:15pm on Monday.
The vehicle was later found dumped at Inala.
A 15-year-old, two 16-year-olds and two 17-year-olds have each been charged with unlawful use of a vehicle.
Police will allege the teenagers stole the keys to the vehicle earlier from a Murgon house and then came back later at night to drive it away.
Officer-in-Charge of Murgon police, Senior Sergeant Lance Guteridge, told southburnett.com.au incidents like this were on the increase nationwide, not just in Murgon.
He said the automotive industry had done a great job in making modern vehicles harder to steal, with built-in security systems etc.
However, this had also led to car thieves now targeting houses to steal car keys, either by sneaking in or breaking in.
Snr Sgt Guteridge urged people not to leave keys in obvious places, especially where they could be spotted by people looking through windows or doors.
He also urged residents not to leave their car keys in the ignition of their vehicles, even if they parked inside their yard or inside a garage.
Snr Sgt Guteridge said car keys were the main item stolen during the sneak break-ins although if the thieves spotted any cash, they would usually take that, too.
A Queensland Police infographic with tips about home security:
