At least three homes from Canadian in the east, to Lucas in the west were broken into on Christmas night with four cars stolen.

A Ballarat CIU spokesperson said the first incident saw two cars stolen from a home in Bogong Avenue, Invermay Park at 2.45am.

Later in the night, around 4.30am, a car and a handbag were stolen from a home in Rattray Court Canadian, then just 15 minutes later, a car and wallet was stolen from Sutcliffe Street Lucas.

“In each of these three incidents the victims woke to hear their car being driven off. It’s believed the thieves entered all three addresses through unlocked doors or windows,” the spokesperson said.

“There was also an attempted aggravated burglary at a Wicklow Drive address in Invermay Park about 12.50am. 

“The thieves were disturbed by the residents while trying to force entry to a locked door and fled.

“At this early stage in the investigation, police are investigating whether the four incidents are linked.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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