NEWCASTLE Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes believes would-be thieves who broke into her council-issued car were opportunistic and not targeting her specifically.
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Police are investigating the break-in of the Lord Mayoral vehicle outside Cr Nelmes’ Merewether home sometime overnight on February 28.
Cr Nelmes found a car door open and papers strewn across her front lawn about 6.30am on March 1.
She told Fairfax Media there were no sensitive documents inside the car and it appeared that the only item taken could have been a pair of sunglasses.
Cr Nelmes said she rang Newcastle police station to report the break-in and was guided to the Police Assistance Line.
But Newcastle City police have been left with little chance of discovering who could be responsible – and what motive was behind the attack – because the importance of Cr Nelmes’ call was not realised by the operator at the police call centre.
It is understood the incident was logged onto the police database with no further action to be taken because the operator was told nothing was stolen and there was no damage to the vehicle.
Senior police were only made aware of the incident when contacted by Fairfax Media on Monday.
“I have a sense it was just an opportunistic thing,’’ Cr Nelmes.
“I’m being targeted, but I’m being targeted in other ways than having the car broken into.’’
Cr Nelmes said there was no damage to the car although she did not believe she would have left any doors open.
The break-in was discovered with the front passenger door open as well as the glove box.
