ALLEGED thieves who targeted cars parked at railway stations across south-east Melbourne have been arrested and charged.
The three men allegedly committed 70 thefts from motor vehicles, and five attempted thefts. Police allege that six of them occurred in Kingston, and one in Frankston. The majority occurred in Greater Dandenong.
The thefts allegedly occurred between 5 May and 24 August.
On Thursday 26 August, police executed four warrants across Cranbourne North, Noble Park, and Cranbourne. They arrested three men and seized tools, car jacks, and clothing.
Police charged a 20-year-old Cranbourne North man with 32 counts of theft from motor vehicle and attempted theft from motor vehicle, a 24-year-old Noble Park man with 21 counts of theft from motor vehicle and attempted theft from motor vehicle, and a 21-year-old Cranbourne man with 37 counts of theft from motor vehicle and attempted theft from motor vehicle. They were all bailed to appear at the Dandenong Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
Victoria Police Detective Acting Inspector Robert Milliken said “thefts like this cause more than just inconvenience for car owners. These offences alone have caused about $35,000 worth of damage to the vehicles involved.”
“We know that thieves often steal car parts for cash, so to them our message is clear – if your intention is to commit crime in the vicinity of public transport, don’t bother. You will be caught and held accountable,” he said. “Transit police are actively working to tackle crime on and around the public transport network, including railway station carparks. We urge car owners catching the train to park in well-lit areas where possible and remove valuables from their vehicles.”
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 8 September 2021
