Mildura Police are continuing to crack down on car thieves, with four arrests relating to theft of motor vehicle and theft from motor vehicle offences over the last month.
The arrests have been executed by detectives from the Mildura Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) as part of a focus on car theft in the region after a spate of vehicle crime related incidents during late May.
Four cars and a range of valuables including money, sunglasses, keys, jewellery, clothes and wallets were stolen from local streets including Cureton Ave, Eastside Drive, Ellswood Crescent, Keam Crescent, Logan Avenue and Ford Close.
Over the weekend, officers arrested an 18-year-old female and 21-year-old male, both from Mildura after a house was allegedly broken into on Renniks Street, keys were taken, and a car was stolen.
The female offender has been charged with 29 offences including aggravated burglary, theft of motor vehicle, 10 charges of theft from motor vehicle involving stolen credit cards, six charges of attempted theft from motor vehicle, nine charges of obtain property by deception, theft and stating false name. She has been bailed to appear at Mildura Magistrates Court on 1 July 2020.
The male has been charged with one count of attempted theft from motor vehicle. He has been bailed to appear in the Mildura Magistrates Court on 30 September 2020.
Earlier this month, police arrested and charged an 18-year-old man from Mildura after allegedly unsuccessfully attempting to steal a car, before running off with money from the vehicle instead. He has been with 13 offences including two charges of theft of a motor vehicle, two charges of theft from a motor vehicle, five charges of attempted theft from motor vehicle, driving while suspended, and weapons offences. He has been bailed and will appear in Mildura Magistrates Court on 9 September 2020.
A separate 18-year-old man from Mildura was arrested on 25th May 2020 for allegedly stealing a car in Ellswood Crescent, Mildura. He has been charged with eight offences, including theft of motor vehicle, theft from motor vehicle, and six charges of attempted theft from motor vehicle. He was remanded overnight and pled guilty to all charges the following day, receiving a nine-month Community Corrections Order.
Detective Senior Constable Sarah Dosen said the arrests were the result of a focused investigation by officers in the Mildura Police Service Area who have been patrolling known hotspots.
“We are focused on driving down vehicle crime in the local community and we want to reassure the community these issues remain a top priority for your local police.
“This operation and the subsequent arrests have contributed to a significant decrease in the number of cars being stolen and valuables being stolen from cars in Mildura.
“We’re putting the brakes on car thieves not only because of the impact this offending has on victims, but also the fact stolen vehicles are often used to commit further crimes, such as burglaries and ram raids.
Detective Senior Constable Sarah Dosen said it’s also important to think about your home security as car thieves often seize an opportunity to sneak in and steal car keys when they are left on display near an open window or unlocked door.
“They are opportunistic and will often look for keys and other easy items to steal in
the kitchen and living area – that is why it’s so important that everyone takes a few simple steps to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of vehicle-related theft.
“Police will continue to work hard in the Mildura community to apprehend burglars and car thieves, but we also ask everyone to take a few simple steps to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of vehicle-related theft:
Always store car keys out of view and away from external doors and windows.
Make sure you have your keys with you at all times. This includes times when you are out and you’ve left your car at home.
When you are out do not leave car keys unattended in bags, lockers etc.
Don’t tag your car keys with your name or address. Use a mobile phone number instead.
Never leave a spare set of house keys or car keys in your car.
Make sure your home is secured so that thieves can’t steal your car keys. This includes:
Installing good quality locks on doors and windows.
Lock all windows and doors, even when you’re at home – unlocked side and rear doors are the most common entry points for burglars.
Remove valuable items from plain sight – particularly car keys, wallets, electronic devices and cash.
If you need immediate police assistance always call Triple Zero (000). Report any suspicious behaviour to your local police station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
