Queenscliff water police arrest man with car full of stolen goods

A serial thief has been busted with a bizarre stash of stolen goods including more than 50 supermarket meat trays, 200 litres of olive oil and a gravestone plaque.

Queenscliff water police arrested a man after he was seen acting suspiciously at the foreshore. Picture: Alan Barber

A serial thief has been busted with a bizarre stash of stolen goods including more than 50 supermarket meat trays, 200 litres of olive oil and a gravestone plaque.

A Taylors Hill man, 45, will front a Melbourne court next month after water police raided his car following reports of suspicious behaviour near the Pilot’s Station foreshore.

Investigators found methylamphetamine and drug paraphernalia along with a car full of stolen property, including a bronze grave plaque allegedly stolen from the Point Lonsdale cemetery last year.

More than $800 worth of stolen meat, 50 jars of honey, 50 tins of commercial grade “Moro” olive oil and more than 30 pairs of socks with tags attached were also seized.

Police will allege gloves, a torch, hammer, pliers, sidecutters and tape, copper wire, pipes, and perfume and deodorant was also found, along with fishing gear allegedly stolen from a Wallington service station on January 1.

“Investigators have notified the family of the allegedly stolen memorial plaque and it will be returned to them in due course,” a Victoria Police spokesman said.

Police will allege the man’s excuse for the stolen items was “going fishing”.

He was arrested and charged with a number of offences including theft, drug possession, obtaining property with proceeds of crime, possessing house breaking implements or going equipped to steal.

A water police squad has been based in Queenscliff since June last year and uses a berth at the town’s main harbour.

Inspector James Dalton said while officers spent most of their time on the water “when alleged crimes occur on land, they have no hesitation in responding.”

“Our top priority is keeping the Queenscliff community safe, and we will continue to do so with regular patrols across our foreshores,’ he said.

The man was bailed to appear at the Sunshine Magistrates Court on April 7.

Anyone with information about suspicious activity in Queenscliff is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800333 000 or make a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Queenscliff water police arrest man with car full of stolen goods