Two people remain in police custody as investigations continue into multiple car thefts in Launceston overnight.
A member of the public reported an attempted motor vehicle stealing near the Launceston General Hospital in Frankland Street about 1:30am. The offenders, believed to be two men, ran from the scene after being disturbed by the vehicle’s owner.
A short time later a security box at the LGH was forced open. As a result of that five government-owned vehicles and more than 30 sets of car keys were stolen.
A teenager and a 24-year-old man from Legana, were arrested in the early hours of this morning following separate evade incidents in Ravenswood and Launceston involving two of the stolen vehicles.
Police recovered two more of the stolen vehicles in Launceston and Invermay this morning.
The fifth stolen government vehicle was recovered after being dumped in St Helens this morning, following another evade incident on the Tasman Highway. The Westpac Police Rescue Helicopter was utilised in the search.
The person driving that stolen vehicle has not been located at this point.
Police are also investigating a sixth vehicle theft incident, with a privately owned Mazda 121 stolen from Frankland Street overnight. The vehicle was recovered a short distance away, missing fuel and personal property.
The teenager and man in custody are assisting police with their enquiries.
Anyone with information about any of the above incidents, or the whereabouts of the third person involved, is asked to contact Launceston Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.
