13 November 2008
Hamilton Police believe thieves are stealing security cameras from shops prior to carrying out burglaries in an attempt to avoid detection.
Over the past two weeks five burglaries have taken place specifically targeting CCTV systems, in one case thieves removed four cameras from around one store while one street in Frankton has had eight cameras stolen.
Hamilton City Tactical Coordinator, Senior Sergeant Tim Anderson, said between 31 October and 02 November security cameras at three Frankton businesses had been targeted by thieves.
"An image of a man we believe responsible for the theft of a CCTV camera from Killarney Rd store was captured, it shows a balding male Caucasian with facial hair wearing black jeans and a red and black top.
"If you recognise this man we ask that you contact Hamilton Police on 07 858 6200 as soon as possible, alternatively information can be left on our confidential crimeline, 0800 Busthem (08002878436)," said Mr Anderson.
"Two Ellis St businesses were also targeted over the same period, one by a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt and jacket with the hood pulled over his face and the other by two Caucasian males."
Mr Anderson said in each case the cameras were working until they were pulled from the wall by the thieves.
"Over the same period a number of businesses on Ellis St have been broken in to, it's too early to say if it was the same people responsible for stealing the cameras that were responsible for the burglaries but it is certainly a focus of our enquiries."
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