Theft of cars has police reeling
GEELONG police and towtruck companies are being run off their feet with a surge in the number of stolen cars being thrashed and dumped across Greater Geelong.
Social media has been flooded with posts about stolen cars right across the region, with the city’s northern suburbs hit particularly hard.
Cars are being stolen from driveways and car yards, before being taken on joy rides.
Detective Sergeant Gavin Mullins said police were aware of the public concern and were making arrests.
“Numbers wise it is a problem for us, theft of motor vehicles. It’s an ongoing problem,” he said.
“When they get hold of these cars the concern is the damage they cause and the way they drive. We’re seeing a lot of teens involved, but the ages are right across the board.”
Yesterday police cordoned off a Holden Vectra detectives said had been stolen from a car yard.
It was found dumped on the front nature strip of a Hopetoun St address in Norlane and towed away soon after 9am.
Two allegedly stolen boats were also recovered earlier that morning and the night before from addresses in Whittington and Corio.
“We’ve also recovered a silver Holden Astra that had been stolen from a Corio medical clinic on Cox Rd on Wednesday, which was stolen while the lady was cleaning,” Sgt Gavin Mullins said. “A 19-yearold has since been arrested.”
The teen appeared in Geelong Magistrates’ Court in relation to the stolen Astra and was remanded to reappear early next month.
In the past week alone, stolen cars have been used in attempted ram raids with a citizen arrest made against one man who allegedly tried to steal a car near the Marshall train station on Tuesday.
Others have been set alight in Scenic Rd in Highton, Point Henry Rd in Moolap, Gardenia Grove in Norlane, and Melbourne Rd in Norlane.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.