VICTIMS of a terrifying Lake Albert break and enter spree early on Wednesday morning claim their neighbourhood was “snubbed” by Wagga police.
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Residents on Tullawood Crescent feared for their safety as a group of thieves scouted the quiet street, trespassing from one property to another.
It came just one day after a search warrant at a nearby Plumpton Road property yielded approximately $10,000 in stolen goods.
The Local Area Command, juggling a murder investigation, arson attack and several unrelated break-ins, was reportedly unable to respond to neighbours’ frantic calls.
However, Inspector Adrian Telfar said he was unable to find record of the incident, suggesting it may have been reported incorrectly.
Christine Macintosh and her two children awoke to the commotion at 3am on Wednesday.
She claims the intruders vaulted backyard fences in order to escape.
“Both my kids were shaken and distraught – they didn’t know what to say,” she said.
“It’s happened two nights in a row now so we’re reaching breaking point.
“There’s a whole group of them that go through the houses and jump from house to house.”
She believes the tension would have been diffused if police immediately responded.
“This was going on for an hour with these people loitering in the area and stealing and the phone call was made twice to Wagga police.
“They still haven’t come down to find out just how bad it is getting.”
Another Tullawood Crescent local, who did not want to be identified due to safety concerns, confronted one of the thieves at about 2am.
“The bloke said he was lost even though he was on my private property,” he said.
“This is the third time I’ve been robbed but fortunately they didn’t get anything this time.”
He believes the same offenders may be responsible for an aggravated break and enter in Springvale later in the night.
“It’s a safe bet,” he said.