By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A 22-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with 46 thefts from cars in the Berwick area following last week’s police blitz.
The Ballarat man was arrested by a tactical police crew last week as 200 detectives and plain-clothes officers hit the streets across the southern metro region over three days.
He was remanded in custody and will appear at the Frankston Magistrates’ Court next month.
Last week Acting Commander Russell Barrett said the operation would include knocking on doors of recidivist offenders, ensuring bail compliance and contacting any outstanding persons of interest.
“We know that repeat offenders are definitely responsible for driving up theft numbers,” Acting Cmdr Barrett said.
“We’ve had a lot of success in several areas, including Dandenong where we’ve been able to charge recidivist offenders. We’ve seen thefts drop but we still have a long way to go.
“When we stop offences like theft from motor vehicle and theft of motor vehicle, it has a real impact on other flow-on offences such as armed robbery, deceptions and ram raids.”
The crackdown comes after research revealed a 20 per cent state-wide increase in thefts from cars over the past five years.
“We’re still seeing people leaving valuables in their car in full view of anyone walking past,” Cmdr Barrett said.
“People continue to leave vehicles unlocked, number plates poorly secured and windows down.
“It’s all an invitation for criminals to steal these items.”
He said it was an issue that “all of the community need to take notice of”.
“We’re seeing thefts occurring from Frankston to Brighton, from Dandenong to Toorak,” Cmdr Barrett said.
“If we can get the public on board, hopefully together we can make the community a safer place.”
It comes after police undertook a routine weapons and drugs search at Dandenong train station last month.
Transit Safety Division and local police were joined by members from the Dog Squad to patrol the area with Passive Alert Detector (PAD) dogs to stop anyone carrying illicit drugs.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
