A man has been charged after an alleged spate of thefts and burglaries across the Thornton, Mansfield, Eildon, Jamieson and Broadford areas over the past few months.
It is alleged the man stole from multiple businesses between February and June, mainly targeting coin-operated washing machines.
The first incident occurred at a caravan park on Goulburn Valley Highway, Thornton on 9 February about 4am. It is alleged the man accessed the coin trays on washing machines and allegedly stole approximately $200 in coins.
The following month, a man allegedly attempted to gain entry to a coin machine at a business on Highett Street on 8 March about 7am. He was unsuccessful and left the premises.
A further incident occurred at a caravan park on Goulburn Valley Highway, Eildon on 1 April about 11.50pm. It is alleged the man entered the laundry area where he forced access to locked coin-operated washers and dryers, stealing between $100 and $200 in coins.
A second business was targeted in the same month, with a Jamieson caravan park on Grey Street being targeted on 10 April about 4.20am. It is alleged a man forced open coin-operated washing machines and stole between $100 and $200 in coins.
A fifth incident occurred at High Street in Broadford on 15 May abut 5pm. A man allegedly entered the business and used a tool to force open locks on vending and washing machines, stealing about $1100 in contents.
The Highett Street Mansfield business was hit again on 20 May about 2.55am. It is alleged a man used a jemmy bar to force open a coin vending machine but was unsuccessful and left the premises.
Another caravan park was struck on 28 May about 5pm. It is alleged a man entered the caravan park on Eildon Road, Eildon. Whilst inside, he allegedly forced open locks to coin-operated machines and damaged locks to other machines on the premises, stealing approximately $1000 in coins.
The last incident occurred at Highett Street in Mansfield where the business was struck for a third time. It is alleged that on 13 June about 3.30am, a man forced open a coin machine at the premises with a jemmy bar, stealing approximately $200 worth of coins before leaving and stealing $50 in coins from a toilet block nearby.
A 42-year-old man has been charged with attempted burglary, theft (x3), attempted theft and possess drug of dependence (x2)
He has been bailed to appear before Shepparton Magistrates’ Court on 28 October
