Three teenagers on car theft rap

By Rebecca Fraser
A 12-YEAR-OLD boy was among three under-age drivers nabbed by police recently following the theft of numerous Tarago vans.
Sergeant John Blackburn, of Endeavour Hills police, said at least 20 Taragos had been stolen during the school holiday period, with vans taken from Dandenong, Springvale, Noble Park, Doveton, Endeavour Hills and Narre Warren.
Sgt Blackburn said the two other young men were 16 years old, and the trio had taken the cars for long drives before returning the vehicles close to where they were originally stolen.
“They would travel to each other and meet up and then drive around together all night before dumping the cars near where they were taken.
“They even brought along their own tapes so they could listen to music when they drove,” he said.
Sgt Blackburn said the young men were of African descent and had since been charged with the theft of a motor car and driving without a licence.
He said one of the youths was apprehended while at McDonald’s in Doveton and he was surprised that the public had not seen them driving and contacted police.
“Police have received no calls about erratic driving so their skills must be quite reasonable.
“But we urge anyone that sees or has seen young people driving around to contact police immediately,” he said.
Sgt Blackburn also warned Tarago drivers to secure their vehicles.
“It appears that they are an easy vehicle to take so people need to be wary of this,” he said.
The three young men will appear in the Dandenong Childrens’ Court on Friday 21 April.