A FAMILY of five has been left shaken after their Central Wagga home was broken into while they slept at the weekend.
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The Brookong Avenue address was targeted in the early hours of Sunday morning, with two wallets and a handbag taken from the kitchen table when entry was gained via a laundry window.
Although physically unharmed, one of the occupants, Jacinta - whose surname has been withheld - says she was frightened by the ordeal.
Jacinta said her partner, two sons and daughter slept through the break-in, but believe it happened between 12.30am and 1.30am.
"We didn't hear a thing," Jacinta said.
"They were sort of in and out.
"We had a light on inside and everything, I'm sure they would have realised someone was home."
Another bag - which contained cash - was left untouched in the lounge room, as was an expensive watch.
"It sort of looked like they were looking for money," she said.
The family's dog was also let out.
Jacinta fears those responsible returned on Monday night, with a mobile phone heard ringing near the house.
Investigations revealed neither Jacinta or her partner's phone had rung that night.
Wagga police yesterday confirmed another house in the street was also broken into on Saturday night.
Crime manager Detective Inspector Darren Cloake said the incidents followed a number of offences in the Forest Hill area earlier this year, where brazen thieves snuck into the bedrooms and stole keys to vehicles and homes.
Inspector Cloake said four groups of offenders were "running around at the moment", including one of three 13-year-olds in the Tolland area who were "breaking in day and night".
Others are active on Pinaroo Drive and Naretha Street in Glenfield Park.
"All break and enters are of concern to us, especially when there's the potential for offenders to be startled and for victims to be confronted," Inspector Cloake said.
"If there's any indication a person, or persons, are acting suspiciously ... call us, we will respond."
Inspector Cloake urged people seeking reprieve from the summer heat by opening a window to use extra caution.
"That presents as an opportunity for these people to do that (break in)," he said.
