Wave of Burglaries in Sheds Under Flats in Vinkhuizen Continues
A wave of burglaries hits Vinkhuizen – residents are urged to stay alert
Over the past few weeks, a surge of burglaries has taken place in storage sheds under flats in the Vinkhuizen district. Reports indicate that multiple locations, including the Parelflat, Ommelandenflat, and BSV De Apenkooi, have been targeted. More recently, the Saffierflat has also become a hotspot for these break-ins.
Recent Break-Ins and Resident Accounts
In the early hours of February 18, burglars struck at the Saffierflat. A resident, woken by noises, saw two individuals in motorcycle helmets attempting to break into the storage areas. The police were called, but by the time they arrived, the burglars had escaped. The perpetrators had blocked the front door with bicycles, threw paint throughout the hallway, and forcibly kicked open shed doors, stealing tools, an electric scooter, and motorcycle helmets.
Another resident reported that their storage space was looted sometime between January 31 and February 14, with power tools and an electric scooter stolen. Previously, an attempt was made to steal their motorcycle, but although the theft failed, the license plate was taken and later used on another vehicle, leading to police-issued traffic warnings.
Pattern of Burglaries and Police Warnings
The burglaries have primarily occurred at night, with multiple incidents reported in different flats. At the Parelflat, residents lost valuable tools and electric bikes worth over 4,400 euros. At the Ommelandenflat, burglars broke into a shed, stealing an electric bike worth 1,600 euros. Similar incidents have been reported across the district, with burglars often entering through unlocked windows or forcing their way through common hallways.
The police are urging residents to secure their sheds by locking windows and shutters, as many break-ins occur through unsecured access points. They also recommend immediate reporting of suspicious activity or break-ins to emergency services.
Call for Increased Vigilance
With the situation worsening, Wijknieuws Vinkhuizen is calling on residents to stay alert. If you notice suspicious activity, contact the police at 0900-8844 or call 112 in case of an active break-in. Residents who have experienced burglaries are encouraged to report them so authorities can track patterns and warn others.