Two-city crime link
Thieves run between Geelong, Warrnambool
A VIOLENT car-theft network is operating between Geelong and Warrnambool, with a stolen vehicle allegedly used to terrorise a motorist at Grovedale.
Senior Constable Ashlea Witham said the thieves sideswiped the victim’s car and ran it off Torquay Rd in Grovedale, near Grove Rd, about 11pm on January 8.
She said it was a worrying new trend, with southwest police increasingly identifying links between car crime and the two cities.
“A Mitsubishi Triton was stolen from the Surfside 1 Caravan Park in Warrnambool in the early hours of January 5 after the offenders have gone onto the site and taken the keys during an aggravated burglary,” she said.
“The ute has then possibly been involved in a road rage incident on Torquay Rd.
“The victim says the ute, with no plates, was following dangerously close behind and flashing its lights.
“As they’ve tried to avoid the vehicle, they’ve lost control turning and hit a give-way sign.
“The ute has then sideswiped the victim multiple times causing moderate damage.”
Sen-Constable Witham said the link between the two cities was of serious concern to police, with a number of cars stolen from one city found dumped at the other.
“There is definitely some kind of link between the Grov- edale and Belmont areas of Geelong and Warrnambool,” Sen-Constable Witham said.
“These stolen vehicles are being used in petrol drive-offs in Colac as well.”
The officer said during the past week:
A BARTON’S waste company ute was stolen in Warr- nambool and recovered in South Geelong;
A HOLDEN Omega was stolen in Warrnambool and recovered in Hesse. It had been used at a Bunnings store in Geelong; and
THE WHITE Triton involved in the road rage incident in Grovedale and seen in Geelong’s south has not been recovered.
Sen-Constable Witham said the 2010 Triton had roof and bike racks, a white bulbar, side steps, extra driving lights, a white antenna, sports bar and front winch. If it’s sighted, witnesses were urged to call 000 immediately.