THIEVES are breaking into bayside homes to steal keys to modern cars that cannot be hot-wired.
Capalaba police station’s Acting Senior Sergeant Wayne Richter said break-ins had risen by 30 per cent in the Capalaba policing area.
The increase was over the six months from July to December compared to the same period in 2017.
About 10 per cent of break-ins were linked to car thefts.
Acting Senior Sergeant Richter warned residents to store keys in places that were not obvious as offenders were getting into houses to find them.
“A lot of people are getting their car stolen from sneak breaks,” he said.
“With the security of car keys, it is almost a cultural thing, where you have your keys hanging by door.
“Offenders are looking for keys. A lot of time, they are not stealing any other property.”
Acting Senior Sergeant Richter’s advise comes as police investigate two cars stolen from Redlands homes earlier this week.
A luxury sports car was taken from a Birkdale home overnight on Monday.
Capalaba police said the owners believed a person who had delivered furniture to their home last year may have been responsible.
The keys for the Jaguar were kept on a table near the front door and there were no signs of forced entry.
A handbag, inside the Jaguar when it was stolen, was found dumped on the street with $300 missing but no other property was taken.
Police were also investigating the theft of a white Hyundai i30 from an Orchid Drive home at Mount Cotton.
Police said someone got into the house through an unlocked laundry door about 11.45pm on Tuesday.
Redland Bay police said the residents had heard noises and smelt something strange before seeing their car driven away.
A wallet, bank cards, cash and house keys were also pinched.
Senior Sergeant Richter said unlocked homes and cars were soft targets for crooks.
“If offenders see a dog, security measures or a home that is well lit, they’ll go somewhere else,” he said.
“We encourage people to assess their security. If you are out the back, lock the front door.”
He said property crimes had increased but some crimes against the person had dropped.
Unarmed robberies had decreased by 60 per cent.
There were no armed robberies between July and December last year in the Capalaba division and assaults were down by 10 per cent.
Witnesses to crime can contact Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Always dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency.
