A BRAZEN daytime thief has targeted at least eight homes in Wangaratta.
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Police have released a computer generated image of the man in a bid to put a stop to his crime spree.
Detective Acting Sgt Jason Bray said the man had forced entry into homes and targeted cash, jewellery and computer equipment.
Several people have witnessed the break-ins and provided details to police to create the image.
“He’s been seen loitering near the homes and he was also seen fleeing from a burglary approximately a week and a half ago,” he said.
“He spends a bit of time in the streets and he should be quite visible at times.
“We suspect he’s walking up and down looking for houses without cars in the driveway.”
The man was chased from the scene of a recent attempted break-in on Halandra Avenue and was initially feared drowned in a nearby creek.
Detective Acting Sergeant Bray said the man started targeting homes about a month ago.
“He gets through windows and often takes a money tin and touches nothing else,” he said.
“It’s only when people go to put money in the tin and use it that they realise they’ve been robbed.
“There have been at least eight suspected break-ins but some people might not realise they’ve been targeted.
“He’s taken, roughly, several thousand dollars.”
The crimes have mainly been committed in what locals call “West End” but there has not been a pattern to the man’s behaviour.
“He’s not a confrontational type person given he’s fled without incident,” Detective Sgt Bray said.
“There’s no concerns in regard to violence at this stage, there’s been none displayed.”
The man is believed to be in his mid-30s, of thin build, fair complexion with short straight brown hair and is about 180 centimetres tall.
Police urge anyone who sees the man to phone triple-0.