Detectives from the Vehicle Crime Squad (VCS) have charged one man and recovered two stolen BMWs in two separate investigations across north west Melbourne.
On 25 October, 2021, investigators located a BMW X5 reported stolen from a Point Cook address earlier in the month.
The vehicle, which was displaying homemade cloned plates, had been abandoned at a Tarneit address.
Police located property stolen from two additional nearby vehicles inside the glovebox.
The vehicle was forensically examined however despite a thorough investigation at the time, police were unable to establish the whereabouts of those responsible.
On Thursday 6 January, VCS detectives were notified that the person of interest, a 26-year-old Altona man, had been arrested in relation to a separate incident of theft in Tarneit.
A search of the man revealed a total of 10 stolen drivers’ licences, firearms licences, Medicare and bank cards, as well as a knife and other stolen property.
He was charged with a raft of offences, including theft of motor vehicle, two counts of theft from motor vehicle, three counts of theft, three counts of handle stolen goods, possess ID information, possess controlled weapon and bail offences.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Werribee Magistrates’ Court on 20 January.
In a separate incident, VCS was made aware of two BMWs – an X5 and 640i – stolen from a Tarneit address on 5 January.
It will be alleged that the offenders broke into the Zion Avenue property, stealing the keys to both vehicles, before driving both out of the garage.
The X5 was recovered from a Burnside Street, Deer Park property on 10 January.
A 39-year-old Deer Park man, a 33-year-old Deer Park woman and a 28-year-old Deer Park man, all present at the Deer Park address, were interviewed and subsequently released.
They are expected to be charged on summons and the investigation into the whereabouts of the stolen 640i remains ongoing.
Anyone with information about the thefts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
