TWO people have been arrested and charged following a spate of alleged home burglaries on the Mornington Peninsula over the past month.
Crime investigation officers received reports of six holiday homes being targeted in the Rye area between 3 and 29 July.
Most of the properties were accessed using house keys left for future renters. The homes were then allegedly ransacked, with large quantities of white goods, appliances and furniture stolen.
No resident or renter was inside at the time.
Following inquires, police arrested a 34-year-old man and 36-year-old woman in Rye on Friday 4 August.
Both were charged with handling stolen goods and possessing proceeds of crime and will appear at Dromana Magistrate’s Court at a later date.
The man was also charged with having committed indictable offences while on bail.
Police have seized more than 100 household items believed to have been stolen, which are in the process of being returned to their owners.
At this stage, the incidents are believed to be linked.
Detective Sergeant Matt McCormack, of Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit, said Victoria Police was reminding homeowners – in particular, hosts who rented their properties out for short stays – to secure their properties while no one was home.
“Think outside the box – or letterbox – when it comes to hiding keys for future renters. Don’t give opportunistic thieves easy access to your property,” he said.
“Remove all spare keys from outside the home, and ensure that all doors, windows and pet doors are locked.
“Consider installing CCTV and alarm systems to further secure your property and belongings.”
First published in the Mornington News – 8 August 2023
