Bunbury ram-raids destroy six Telstra pay phones

Between September 21 and October 3, six phones were hit by cars with thieves trying to steal cash from the booths and leaving plenty of damage in their wake.  

Bunbury police Sergeant Alan Armstrong said officers are calling on the public’s help to solve these crimes. 

“The first phone was hit by a stolen white Toyota Hilux which police found dumped on Parade Road in Dalyellup,” he said. 

“Three men were seen running from the scene. 

“CCTV on Timperley Road showed a stolen blue Mitsubishi Pajero hitting a Telstra phone and we believe that particular vehicle was used to commit a number of other crimes.”

Sergeant Armstrong said offenders only succeeded in stealing the cash box from two of the six phones. 

“It was a lot of effort and damage for very little reward,” he said. 

“We have recovered one of the cash boxes but one is still missing.”

Telstra South West general manager Boyd Brown said the damage was senseless. 

“The thieves may have got away with just a few hundred dollars and now it will cost us tens of thousands to fix or replace these six phone stations,” he said. “There really was no need for it.”

Sergeant Armstrong said anyone with information about the incidents including descriptions of vehicles or the people involved should contact police on 131 444.