For the fifth time in two months, thieves have stolen a delivery van while the driver was dropping off a package.
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Police said the latest incident happened in Coombs about 10.10am on Monday.
They said the white Toyota Hiace van was stolen from Arthur Blakeley Way while the driver was making a delivery.
"The delivery driver saw the van being driven off in the direction of Fairhall Street and John Gorton Drive. Police believe a light coloured ute also seen by the delivery driver in the area may be involved in the theft, and both the stolen van and the ute are likely to have been driven at speed along Settlement Drive, Coombs, shortly after the theft occurred," police said in a statement.
The van was found, burnt out, later off Waragamba Street in Duffy.
"This theft comes after four similar incidents over the last two months. Police are again reminding all drivers to never leave a vehicle unattended with the engine running or unlocked with the keys inside, and to lock their cars, even if they're only leaving them for a few seconds," police said.
Police reported in October the first four cases, and published CCTV footage from a white delivery van reportedly stolen from Burn Street in Downer.
ACT Policing Officer in Charge Detective Inspector Adrian Craft said at that stage that police believed the offenders might be following delivery drivers, looking for the opportunity to steal their vans.
"These drivers should be aware of their surroundings and if they believe they are being followed either call police safely or drive to the nearest police station," Detective Inspector Craft said in October.
Earlier this week, Officer in Charge of Woden Police Station, Detective Inspector Shane Scott urged Canberrans to secure their vehicles and homes.
A crime targeting taskforce has been formed by ACT police to focus on vehicle theft across the territory during October, many as a result of lax owner security.
Task Force Oquendo is looking at commonalities between the thefts, such where they occurred and when, to determine if there are any patterns to the criminal behaviour.
But they know one common thread runs through many: people leaving their car keys where they can be easily stolen.
Detective Inspector Scott has been working in the intelligence area for the past two years and assessed literally hundreds of stolen vehicle reports revealing how poorly people in the ACT pay attention to standard crime prevention measures.
Police ask anyone who saw the theft or fire on Monday, who has dash-cam footage or any information that can help police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website and quote reference 6967717.
