Tip-offs lead police to stolen vehicles as suspect hunt continues

BASS Coast police have credited the community for a string of search warrants as they hunt more suspects over a wave of stolen and torched cars across the region.

Bass Coast Local Area Acting Inspector Jason Hullick said in a video message to the community that vehicle crime had risen significantly in the past four to six weeks.

He said cars had been stolen and broken into, belongings had been taken and some vehicles had been burnt out in areas stretching into metropolitan Melbourne.

Acting Insp Hullick said police had recently executed a number of search warrants, including one in Korumburra where they recovered stolen vehicles, stolen trailers and a tractor.

“That search warrant and the other ones we’ve done couldn’t have happened without the information flow that we’re getting from our community at the moment,” he said.

“We really do appreciate that and encourage you all to supply the information.”

Police recovered two stolen Toyota LandCruisers, two stolen trailers and a stolen Kubota tractor after searching a Korumburra property on Wednesday October 7.

Two men found at the property were interviewed over alleged theft of motor vehicle, theft and handling stolen goods offences and will receive a summons to appear at Korumburra Magistrates’ Court.

Acting Insp Hullick said a number of offenders had been arrested and were now on remand in prison.

“The local police have been working really hard over recent times and we’ve managed to arrest a number of those offenders and bring them before the courts,” he said.

“There’s also a couple of other persons of interest that we’re attempting to locate at the moment.

“Hopefully we will have them in our custody very shortly.”

He urged anyone with information to report it to Crime Stoppers, no matter how minor it seemed.

“Whatever you might think might not be important, please report it to Crime Stoppers,” he said.

“Sometimes these things are difficult to investigate and we can’t do our job as well without the information and cooperation of our community.

“Keep it coming in and we’ll keep you updated as best we can.

“Rest assured we are doing our best to bring these people before the courts.”

This week’s Sentinel-Times reported that car thefts across Bass Coast and South Gippsland had almost doubled in four years.

Crime Statistics Agency figures show police recorded 210 motor vehicle thefts across the two shires in the 12 months to June, up from 111 in the year to June 2022.

Cars have been dumped and burnt out in recent weeks at Wonthaggi, Darlimurla, Kardella, Rhyll, Korumburra, Woolamai, Poowong and Loch, where a stolen Subaru was torched in a driveway opposite Loch Primary School.

Thieves have also targeted tradies’ utes for tools, with break-ins reported in Wonthaggi.

Police have urged drivers to lock all doors and close all windows, install anti-theft devices, secure their keys and park in secure, well-lit areas.

Anyone who sees a crime in progress or suspicious activity such as someone trying car door handles should call Triple Zero (000) immediately.

Information can be reported anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Read this week’s Sentinel-Times for the full timeline of stolen and burnt-out cars across the region.