Maitland’s theft problem continues to plague police after thieves stole items from eight vehicles in a 48-hour period.
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Keys, phones, iPads, wallets, sunglasses and a laptop were among the items stolen from cars, most of which were unlocked, between Sunday and Tuesday.
“These are the sort of items people are consistently leaving in their cars,” Maitland officer in charge Chief Inspector Glenn Blain said.
“It’s an opportunistic crime. By leaving items in your car you’re asking for them to get stolen.”
So far in February, there have been at least 56 incidents of thefts from motor vehicles across the Port Stephens-Hunter district.
Among those to occur recently were two incidents at Hinton.
Keys, a laptop and two iPads were taken from a Toyota Prado on Hinton Road and a phone, speakers and a wallet were stolen from a Volvo on Swan Street.
Registration plates were pulled off a Ford Falcon in High Street, Maitland while a Ford Explorer was targeted in Princess Street, Morpeth with coins pinched from the vehicle.
Two vehicles, a Peugot and an SUV, were hit in Maidford Street, Thornton and designer sunglasses stolen.
Also in Thornton – sunglasses, a mobile phone, a charger and a garage remote were taken from a Kia Sorato on Sandridge Street.
House keys were also stolen from a Suzuki Swift at Capp Street, Telarah and a wallet was thieved from a Ford Territory at Woodberry.
Police urge people to lock their cars and take valuables with them to prevent the crime.