30 November 2024, 12:00 AM
Kiama has recently been hit by a concerning wave of criminal activity, leaving residents and business owners on edge. From break-ins at local businesses like Ziggy’s Pizza and Trinity Jewellers, to thefts at Cakes on Collins Lane, the town is grappling with a string of incidents. Ziggy's smashed doorZiggy’s Pizza in Gerringong was among the latest victims of a series of break-ins. On Monday 11 November, owner Damon Zwicker was left shocked after discovering the restaurant's front door had been smashed overnight."It was a pretty shocking way to start the week," says Damon. The break-in resulted in the theft of two iPads, a couple of speakers, and several hundred dollars in cash.Despite the setback, Damon said the business was able to rebound quickly, with the door repaired and stolen items replaced and they were able to reopen after only a brief closure. This was not the only incident, on Sunday 17 November at approximately 3am thieves broke into Centrepoint Arcade and smashed the front door of Trinity Jewellers, stealing jewellery, and other valuable items leaving the owner devastated. Police have issued a warning about an increase in car thefts and break-ins, urging Kiama residents to prioritise their home and vehicle security. On the home front, Kiama local Marion Rattray fell victim to theft when an intruder entered her house and stole her handbag and laptop. The incident unfolded around 7pm when Marion had just returned home from a neighbours, heard a noise and upon investigating, found someone in her kitchen leaving with her laptop. At first, she didn’t realise the extent of the theft -, the intruders had already taken her handbag and keys and attempted to steal her car before returning for her laptop.“When I realised that they’d taken all of that, I went out the back garden and shouted ‘help’... and I saw them driving off about two or three hundred metres up the street, without their lights on,” says Marion. Marion was forced to change her locks and upgrade her home's security, and her neighbours have been prompted to take greater care in securing their homes and vehicles. “People ought to know we don’t live in paradise, and that we do need to lock our backdoors, even when we’re in,” says Marion. Marion revealed that a neighbour had noticed a suspicious vehicle driving slowly through nearby streets on the afternoon of the incident, likely scoping out homes for an opportunistic crime.Authorities are urging residents to always lock vehicles, remove valuables and spare keys from cars, secure garage remotes and house keys to avoid unwanted access into homes, park in well-lit areas, and consider installing and maintaining CCTV around homes. Alarmingly, 8 out of 10 stolen cars are accessed using the owner's keys, highlighting the need for security, locking all doors and windows, and keeping keys out of sight.In addition to these events, a series of troubling incidents occurred on November 16 at Werri Beach Holiday Park, involving a group of up to 20 teenagers and parents. Residents reported disturbances from the visitors, including possible property damage and harassment, creating uncomfortable situations for locals and other visitors. Amidst this, The Bugle’s newspaper stand was not spared, having been burned on Terralong Street sometime on the weekend of 24 November. With the increase of troubling events, locals are questioning the apparent lack of police presence in town with often long response times according to victims. Police are urging residents not to become complacent and to report any suspicious activity immediately. Non-urgent matters can be reported to the Police Assistance Line at 131 444, while emergencies should be directed to Triple Zero (000).
