Crestmead man charged over car theft racket across southeast

NAMED: A second man has fronted court over an alleged car theft racket across southeast Queensland where car sharing services had their keys stolen from lockboxes. | SEE THE VIDEO

A second man has fronted court over an alleged car theft racket which has gripped southeast Queensland this month after a series of car sharing services had their keys stolen from lockboxes.

Nathan John-Eric Morgan, 29, appeared in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on February 23.

The Crestmead man was arrested and charged with 21 offences relating to the alleged car thefts after a police raid on his property on February 21.

He was charged with nine counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, nine counts of entering premises and committing an indictable offence, two counts of wilful damage and one count of attempted unlawful use of motor vehicle.

The cars were stolen from properties at Eagle Farm, Ascot, Calamvale, Eight Mile Plains, Mooloolaba and Greenslopes this month.

Police said the vehicles were taken after a series of lockboxes, containing car keys, were broken into.

A 29-year-old man was arrested after a morning raid on a Crestmead property. PHOTO: QPS

Nine lockboxes were allegedly removed from an Eagle Farm car sharing business and forced open between January 31 and February 13.

As a result, an MG ZS vehicle, used in a vehicle sharing service, was allegedly stolen.

A Holden Commodore, also used in a vehicle sharing service, was allegedly stolen from a Ascot business after a lockbox was stolen on February 4.

Police said that vehicle was allegedly involved in a break and enter at a Calamvale business shortly after 4am on February 6, where a quantity of alcohol was stolen.

Similar incidents allegedly occurred at the same business on February 4 and February 20.

A Toyota Tarago and a Toyota Corolla were allegedly stolen from an Eight Mile Plains business through a lockbox between 8.30pm and 10pm on February 8.

A second Toyota Corolla was allegedly stolen from the same business around 3am on February 10.

A Land Rover Discovery, which was also used in a vehicle sharing service, was allegedly stolen from a Mooloolaba business through a lockbox on February 15.

Police said the thefts continued on February 19, when a Nissan Pulsar, also used in a vehicle sharing service, was allegedly stolen from a Greenslopes business through a lockbox.

Police alleged the 29-year-old man acted alongside a 31-year-old man in four break-ins at businesses across Redland Bay, Runcorn, and Wynnum West in the early hours of February 10.

A break-in at a Loganholme business on February 9, and one at a Rochedale South business on February 10 have also been investigated.

Detective Sergeant Leah Godfrey warned car owners to be extra vigilant.

“Even when you do the right thing by locking your vehicle, it still isn’t a deterrent to some thieves,” he said.

“Always keep your keys out of sight and never leave vehicle keys lying around on tables or benches and never hide spare keys on or in the vehicle – thieves know where to look.”