A HELPFUL witness watched as a man allegedly stole the number plates from a car parked at a Carrum Downs service station.
She then photographed his getaway car, and returned to report the crime to the 82-year-old female victim.
Details of the incident, in Hall Rd, 3.30pm, Monday 13 July, were passed on to Frankston CIU detectives who arrested the man on Monday last week.
Detective Senior Constable Caroline McGill praised the efforts of the 40-year-old Carrum Downs woman who watched as the thief crouched down and unscrewed the plates, then followed him 100 metres to his car and, surreptitiously, snapped a picture of the car’s make, model and registration number.
“She was brave. Without her this case would have gone nowhere,” Detective McGill said. “It highlights how members of the public can play a significant role in solving crime. If she had not been there it would have been just another theft.”
A Dandenong man, 29, was charged with theft and tampering with a vehicle. He has been bailed to appear at Dandenong Magistrates Court in September.