THE theft of petrol from a service station on Pt Nepean Road, Tootgarook, in mid-December, was one of a string of thefts and burglaries allegedly committed by a Cranbourne North man arrested Wednesday 9 January.
Detectives from the Cardinia CIU, Special Operations Group and the Dog Squad nabbed the 30-year-old in Hampton Park over the incidents which occurred between October-December across the south eastern suburbs and Ballarat. During the arrest the man was injured and taken to hospital under police guard.
He faces 38 charges relating to an aggravated burglary at Ballarat East, burglary at a Beaconsfield Upper hotel, burglary at Officer where a firearm safe was stolen along with the keys to the safe and set of car keys, theft of a Jeep Grand Cherokee from the Kilsyth Football Oval, theft of petrol from a service station, Langwarrin, burglary at fast-food restaurant, Koo Wee Rup, where $500 cash, two reams of paper and a slab of coke was allegedly stolen, and a burglary at a fast-food restaurant, Belgrave, where $1500 was allegedly stolen, and theft of a white 2018 Mercedes Benz wagon from Tonimbuk.
Other charges relate to petrol thefts which allegedly occurred at service stations in Moorabbin, Lynbrook, Springvale, and Lynbrook. Police allege they later found four stolen motorcycles and other property at houses in Cranbourne North and Doveton.
The man was remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on 1 February.
In relation to these incidents, detectives arrested a 22-year-old Cranbourne West man and 23-year-old Carrum Downs woman at a Cranbourne West property. The man was charged with theft of a motor vehicle, theft from a motor vehicle, handling stolen goods and negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime. The woman was interviewed and released.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 15 January 2019
