Year in Review: 2023 Highlights in Reporting, GPS Tracking, and Offender Prosecution
As we bring the curtain down on the tumultuous year that was 2023, it is important to reflect upon the significant efforts invested in reporting, GPS tracking, and the consequential apprehension of offenders—a commitment that has defined our service to members.
Throughout this challenging year, the building industry experienced a substantial surge in criminal activities, prompting our proactive response with over 750 reports submitted to the police on behalf of our Builder, Civil Contractor, and Land Development members. These reports detailed a spectrum of offenses, including 169 burglaries, 33 attempted burglaries, 425 incidents of stealing, 141 damage reports, and 21 instances of suspicious activity. In a holistic approach, PACT investigators collaborated with local councils, addressing 159 reports of illegal rubbish dumping on building sites and new land development estates.
The commencement of 2023 marked the outcome of a prolonged investigation initiated in November 2022. This inquiry culminated in the apprehension of an adult male and female duo, charged with multiple offenses related to the theft of hot water units and white goods from construction sites in the southern suburbs. The illicit sale of stolen items on Facebook Marketplace led to the serious charge of Laundering Stolen Property in the District Court. The defendants faced a total of 13 charges, including burglary and stealing, resulting in the successful recovery of 13 hot water units, a rangehood, dishwasher, and toilet cisterns. The District Court delivered some justice with a $6,000 fine and a 9-month community-based order.
2023 witnessed the strategic deployment of 141 GPS tracking devices by our dedicated PACT investigators to safeguard our members' sites. This proactive measure yielded 19 onsite activations, leading to the apprehension of 13 individuals involved in the theft of hot water units, ovens, hotplates, and rangehoods. The relentless efforts of PACT investigators extended to an additional 55 investigations, resulting in a total of 45 individuals being dealt with by the WA Police Force.
Noteworthy successes include the arrest of a registered plumber, apprehended twice in 2023 after stealing hot water units equipped with PACT GPS tracking. On the second occasion, the offender was intercepted at his relative's home, where he intended to install a hot water unit. In response, we have taken steps to seek the revocation of his plumbing license.
Over 200 Police Forensic Examinations were completed on our members' sites, leading to the arrest of several offenders based on fingerprints and DNA evidence.
The year culminated with an outstanding GPS activation in December, prompting the execution of a search warrant at a residential address in Cloverdale. The search uncovered our members' stolen hotplate, along with 4 ovens, 9 hotplates, 3 hot water units, and 3 rangehoods. The perpetrator, already known to PACT investigators, had been under scrutiny for several months as his illicit activities unfolded on Facebook Marketplace. His eventual apprehension came to pass only after he targeted a PACT member's site.
Remarkably, all the recovered property, excluding our hotplate with GPS tracking, was traced back to non-member building sites. Unfortunately, the majority of these thefts had not been reported to the police, underscoring an ongoing challenge within the building industry and the failure by many large builders to address onsite crime.
As we reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of 2023, our commitment to enhancing security and fostering a safer community remains unwavering. Together, we stride into the new year, fortified by the lessons of the past and the collective determination to overcome the evolving landscape of criminal activities.