Man charged with aggravated burglary as concerns grow over spate of recent Rippleside crime

Alleged prowlers have again been caught on security footage stealing from homes and lurking in backyards in a bayside suburb, with one man arrested. WATCH THE VIDEO

Alleged prowlers have again been caught on security footage stealing from homes and lurking in backyards in a bayside suburb, with one man arrested on Friday.

Hooded and masked offenders with torches were captured on CCTV along Bay St and St David St in Rippleside on Monday and Tuesday, just weeks after a police investigation was launched into thefts along the same streets.

At least two men were seen “casing” properties in the early hours of Tuesday, with one mountain bike stolen from a Bay St shed on the same night.

Alleged offenders caught on security footage searching properties in Rippleside on November 4 and 5.

Detectives from Geelong’s criminal investigation unit confirmed a Corio man had been arrested in relation to the theft and a string of others.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said there was allegedly further incidents on Bay St, Holden Ave and St Davids St.

The 25-year-old was charged with a number of offences including aggravated burglary, burglary, theft of motor vehicle and fail to stop on police direction.

He was remanded to appear at the Geelong Magistrates Court on Friday.

Some residents in the suburb told this masthead they were concerned about vigilantes taking matters into their own hands such has been the spate of recent crime.

“We’re worried a frustrated homeowner is going to try to confront some of these people one night,” one resident said, who did not want to be named.

“We have been told by police never to do that.”

It comes as a victim of a failed theft on October 12 attempted to chase down two men on foot after he disturbed them breaking into his car.

It is still unknown whether this week’s offending is related to the incidents last month.

On that occasion, it’s believed up to four men were seen scanning cars with torches, with one witness claiming they may have been driving a black Volkswagen Passat.

Alleged offenders caught on security footage searching properties in Rippleside on November 4 and 5.

Police have dropped letters in mailboxes along St David St and Victoria St urging homeowners to review CCTV footage in an effort to unmask the group, who witnesses say were wielding bats.

They allegedly removed registration plates from one victim’s vehicle, while another was broken into between 11.30pm on October 11 and 9am on October 12.

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Originally published as Man charged with aggravated burglary as concerns grow over spate of recent Rippleside crime