Source : Perth Now news
Thieves using online marketplaces to steal motorbikes and high value items are the target of a new WA Police crackdown.
Offenders are increasingly using online marketplaces and social media platforms, often with fake profiles, to get the address of the seller and later steal their expensive items from their garage, shed or yard.
More than 50 stolen motorbikes were found and 36 people arrested in connection with thefts and burglaries between January 1 and June 21, police revealed in a statement distributed on Tuesday.
“In response to this type of crime, police have undertaken targeted operations, proactive patrols and community engagement activities across the metropolitan area,” it read.
Police issued advice to sellers to reduce the risk of being robbed, including avoiding identifiable features that could reveal location, not displaying high value items where they can attract attention, securing items with locks and consider attaching them to something immovable.
The public was also reminded about properly securing storage areas, considering tracking devices, being mindful of people following you, meeting buyers in a public location, not handing over items until payment is confirmed, and leaving immediately if a situation feels wrong.
A number of cases of stolen items remain under investigation.
This includes an incident in Yanchep on Monday when two unknown offenders entered a home’s rear yard on Lagoon Drive around 3.55am before forcing their way into a garage, where the unsuccessful thieves were confronted with a motorbike that had a disc-lock alarm.
Police say the victim recently advertised a motorbike for sale on a social media marketplace, which may have led to the attempted theft.
A separate incident in Darlington on May 30 involving the theft of a red Honda motorcycle from a shed on Miranda Road is also being investigated, as is the theft of a white and blue Yamaha off-road motorcycle taken from a home in South Yunderup on March 2.
In another case, police say two offenders burned a hole through a garage door in Hocking on April 8 before taking a blue Honda motorbike and blue Yamaha motorbike. The latter has been recovered but the other remains missing.
Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour, has information relating to motorcycle thefts or burglaries, or is aware of premises where off-road motorcycles regularly enter and leave under suspicious circumstances – potentially involved in the storage, movement, or sale of stolen motorcycles – is encouraged to report the information to Crime Stoppers.
