A SEBASTOPOL couple had their camping trip ruined after thieves broke into their fully-packed car during the early hours of Sunday morning.
Triona Allen and her boyfriend Jan Koopmans have since decided to leave the suburb following a series of thefts and vandalism over the past 15 months.
Since they moved into their Yarrowee Street home in January last year, Mr Koopman’s car has been broken into twice, fire bombed once and they had their front lawn set on fire on another occasion.
“There’s definitely a crime problem here, you see the police constantly in our street, they’re always here and I just don’t know what else can be done,” Ms Allen told
“It’s just really difficult because I’m a student and it’s hard enough to get ahead financially. I’m struggling all the time and then things like this happen and it’s like, ‘what are you supposed to do?’”
Ms Allen said the attempted theft likely took place between 1am and 1.30am.
“The dog last night was barking and growling and I was like, ‘be quiet, be quiet’, but it was because someone was breaking into the car.
“Then our neighbour came over about 7am the next day and said the car had been broken into.”
The couple lost about $800 worth of goods, including newly purchased camping gear and a car stereo.
The ignition was also damaged making the vehicle un-drivable and needing repair.
Police attended the scene and took forensic evidence.
Ms Allen said she and Mr Koopmans had no choice but
to leave the suburb.
“It’s supposed to be a cheap area to live but you still need it to be safe. I’m just glad there’s been no
violence and it’s just been stuff stolen, but you don’t know what will happen the next time,” she said.
“We moved here because we couldn’t afford anywhere else, but with these things happening it actually makes it more expensive.
“We’re going to move out now and our neighbours are moving too.”
Anyone with information about the car break-ins should contact the Ballarat Police Station on 5336 6000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.