Police are appealing for information about a recent spate of thefts targeting vacant properties in Collie over the last few weeks.
Senior Sergeant Heath Soutar has asked anyone who lives near a vacant property report any potentially suspicious behaviour to the police.
Police received a report of a theft at a property in Ogden Street that may have occurred in the days prior to November 15. Copper piping and a hot water heater were stolen along with other items from a shed.
Copper piping was also stolen at vacant properties on Moira Road, Wylam Road and Ogden Street. The reports were made between November 15-16, but the thefts may have happened in the days prior.
Police are investigating a theft at a house in McKinley Street. The owner had been away for a period of time and came home to find the front door had been forced opened and some items had been stolen.
Collie Flooring Xtra on Medic Street had cash and other items stolen on the night of November 17 after the offender removed a glass panel from the front door to gain entry. Senior Sergeant Soutar said police had collected fingerprints from the scene and are hopeful of a positive result.
A storage container at Premier Coal was broken into sometime between November 17-18 and tools were stolen, although Senior Sergeant Soutar said the tools were recovered a short time later, inquiries are continuing.
Two bikes were stolen from a house on Irwin Street on November 17. Senior Sergeant Soutar said one of the bikes had been found in bushes on November 20 but police are still looking for the other one.
A car was broken into at the Collie Show, with a laptop, an iPad and CDs stolen while a backpack was stolen from a car on Ogden Street sometime between November 19-20. Senior Sergeant Soutar said the incidents were being investigated and urged people not leave valuables unattended in cars.
Police also attended an incident on Mungalup Road on November 20 where an 18-year-old man threatened to jump from the roof of an abandoned charcoal factory. Senior Sergeant Soutar said a negotiator from Bridgetown was called in and after five hours police were able to talk the man down and take him to hospital.
Finally a young P-plate driver is lucky to be alive after he was involved in a single car accident on Mungalup Road on the morning of November 18. Senior Sergeant Soutar said the accident should serve as a warning to other drivers about the dangers of driving while tired.
“We see a hell of a lot in this job, but we don’t want to see anyone get hurt,” Senior Sergeant Soutar said. “If you’re fatigued, pull over.”