Car theft: We're making it easy to steal keys, cars
A MACKAY detective has shut down suggestions a group of youths is responsible for a recent spike in car thefts in the district.
Detective Senior Sergeant Dave Tucker said yesterday there was no "pattern of youth offending” and the theft of cars could not be blamed solely on local youths.
"A lot of this can be contributed to vehicles and houses being left unsecured,” he said.
"In some cases we are making it very easy for offenders to enter unsecured houses, steal keys and steal motor vehicles.”
Det Snr Sgt Tucker admitted that the age of recent offenders was troubling.
Police have recorded a total of 81 cases of car theft in the region in the past three months.
An elderly North Mackay woman was left in shock on Wednesday when a stolen car ploughed through her front fence.
