Circumstances of crimes in Tamworth worryingly similar

POLICE were kept busy on Tuesday night, again chasing cars stolen from homes in Tamworth, in brazen crimes growing increasingly similar in circumstance.

Three vehicles were stolen from break-ins to two homes in Oxley Vale and West Tamworth, with two of the cars becoming the targets of police pursuits, later called off due to dangerous driving and high speeds.

The Leader reported on Tuesday that police were hunting a group of youths in relation to a Monday night crime spree which saw four cars stolen, three homes broken into, two cars burnt out and a police pursuit started.

Police said yesterday it was possibly the same group involved in Tuesday night’s incidents.

Police are investigating links between the events of the two nights.

A Holden Captiva and Ford Territory were taken from the driveway of a Fisher Rd, Oxley Vale home just after midnight yesterday.

Police said the thieves removed the flyscreen of a front door to gain entry and once inside stole two sets of car and house keys and several electrical items.

Just an hour later, the Captiva was spotted by patrolling officers in the Hillvue area travelling slowly with the headlights switched off.

Police tried to pull the vehicle over but it took off.

After several minutes, the pursuit was terminated due to reaching speeds of up to 130km/h in 50km/h zones.

Just a few minutes later the Territory was spotted in the same area and accelerated away from police.

Giving chase, police again had to abandon the pursuit after dangerous driving and high speeds from the drivers of the vehicle.

The Captiva was later found abandoned in MacGregor St in West Tamworth but the Territory has not been found.

A gold Nissan Pulsar was also stolen from a Westdale home, which was broken into between 11pm on Tuesday and 12.50am yesterday.

Police said the thieves gained entry by cutting a hole in the flyscreen of a sliding door while the occupant slept.