Second Break In At Local Community Organisation

Just short of six weeks later, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre has been the victim of another break-and-enter incident earlier this week.

Six weeks ago, the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre was one victim in a string of business break ins around the Cannonvale and Cannonvalley area.

A figure of $900 was stolen from petty cash tins, and three buildings were broken into, including the childcare centre, the main reception, and the op shop donation room.

A garden shed was also forcibly entered.

As of June, a 29-year-old Cannonvale woman has been charged with 32 offences relating to alleged break-ins and alleged attempted break-ins at businesses and other properties in the region.

She was arrested as part of Operation Mackay Irving, a police taskforce established to patrol the Cannonvale area, on June 10.

The woman faced Proserpine Magistrates Court on June 12.

Rebecca Woods, the Executive Officer of the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, is saddened by the recent break in.

“We work for the community, and this has the implication that no one is untouchable.”

Following the first break-in, the team at Centre reinforced entry ways and better secured themselves against further attempts.

This recent break-in, occurring at 3.12am on the morning of June 25, the perpetrator gained entry only to the main building and left empty handed.

“They ruffled through everything and broke the lock on the main door, and the doors to several offices,” Mrs Woods explained.

“However, we had reinforced security on the property, to prevent people from getting to anything.

“It is heartbreaking for this to happen again; we’re here to support people and provide assistance to the community.”

“The previous break-in resulted in a woman being charged, so we were under the impression that those allegedly responsible had faced the consequences.”

Mrs Woods wishes to thank the community for their support.

“The community is more outraged than we are; this impacts the entire community, but we thank them for their support.”

The alleged perpetrator of the latest break-in has been captured on security vision, wearing black track pants with large white text on the left leg, a black jumper with white text and grey-white logo on the left breast.

They are also wearing a distinctive Smirnoff Seltzer branded pink and white waist bag, and a green face mask.

Mrs Woods urges anyone with any information to contact the Queensland Police Service.

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Six weeks later, a second break in has occurred at the Whitsunday Neighbourhood Centre, with the perpetrator captioned on security vision. Images supplied