Detectives from the Financial Crime Squad have charged a man after he was arrested in Braeside yesterday as part of an investigation into ATM skimming.
Police attempted to arrest the man in Glen Waverley just before 9am yesterday, however he fled from police in a stolen black Audi.
The 45-year-old man, who is of no fixed place of address, was then seen driving erratically through Melbourne’s south eastern suburbs.
His vehicle was then sighted in Moorabbin and he was tracked by the Air Wing through Cheltenham and into Braeside.
The man then parked the vehicle in bushland and took off on foot, however he was arrested with the assistance of Monash crime Investigation Unit and local police a short time later, just before 11.50am.
A search of the vehicle also uncovered card skimming equipment, methylamphetamine, liquid believed to be 1,4-butanediol, and electronic equipment including mobile phones, tablets and laptops.
Police also seized a large quantity of stolen identification including over 100 cards, passports and other documents.
The man was subsequently interviewed by detectives and charged with the following:
Reckless conduct endangering life;
Reckless conduct endangering serious injury;
Theft of motor vehicle;
Possess identification information to facilitate commission of an indictable offence;
Possess methylamphetamine;
Traffick commercial quantity drug of dependence;
Possess drug of dependence; and
Make identification information.
He was remanded in custody to face Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 30 November.
The arrest followed an investigation by Financial Crime Squad detectives into a card skimming device located in a Melbourne CBD ATM in March.
Police also executed a warrant at a property on White’s Lane in Glen Waverley yesterday as part of this matter.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with any further information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
