A 24 YEAR old Frankston man was arrested in Hastings on 11 March after a series of alleged car thefts.
Frankston Crime Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Luke Holmes said the man had been “prolific in his offending in the Frankston and Mornington Peninsula area.”
It is alleged that the man would meet up with people looking to sell their cars on the website Gumtree, and ask to test drive their cars. The man would then allegedly drive off.
Police allege his offences occurred in the Frankston, Seaford, and Hastings areas between 19 February and 11 March.
The man allegedly would use the stolen cars to commit petrol drive offs and drive off from shop thefts.
Police said they attempted to arrest the man on 8 March and initiated a pursuit. Police allege he was driving erratically and drove around spike strips before the pursuit was called off. He was arrested on 11 March and will face Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 21 March.
All vehicles were recovered.
Det. Sgt. Holmes said “this is a warning for anyone offering test drives of cars, always ask for ID. If it feels like it’s not quite right, walk away.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 19 March 2019
