Wodonga police raid home after spate of home building sites break-ins

Officers raided the Murray Way home on Wednesday and took two people into custody.

There have been 16 reported burglaries at homes under construction in Wodonga and surrounding areas in the past month.

Investigators could be seen removing trailers packed with items including lights, a crowbar, tiling equipment, ladders, a clothes line, painting equipment, carpet and more.

About a dozen officers searched through the property.

Police earlier this month appealed for information about an SUV with a distinctive nudge bar seen around the Castle Creek Road area at the time of some of the break-ins.

A Hyundai Santa Fe, similar to what police described, could be seen at the front of the home on Wednesday.

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Detective Senior Sergeant Garry Barton said the two people were assisting police with their enquiries.

"Over the period of a month or so, Wodonga, Wodonga West, Leneva, houses under construction have been broken into and items stolen," he said.

"We've been conducting an investigation and today it's led us to an address as part of enquiries.

"We've got two people in custody assisting us with our enquiries at the moment.

"It looks like we've uncovered a substantial amount of property."

While break-ins have been reported at 16 properties, police believe it's highly likely more were targeted but haven't been reported.

Senior Sergeant Barton said public information had led to the search warrant.

"The police worked tirelessly to protect the houses under construction and work in with builders as well," he said.

"This was a crime where builders were affected, tradespeople were affected and home owners were affected.

"It caused delays and took tools and items away from builders.

"Some items were taken from within the houses after they'd been put in like cupboards and sinks, which is a massive impost."

Tiler Shaun Jefferies recently told The Border Mail he had been unable to work for several days after having his tools stolen during one of the break-ins.

Senior Sergeant Barton said the search warrant was a good outcome for the community.

"We get these little snippets of information and it leads us down a path and ultimately to an arrest," he said.

He thanked members of the public who had come forward with information about the incidents.

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