Gold Coast beachgoers warned to take care of belongings after swimmer’s car allegedly stolen

Beachgoers have been warned to take extra care of their belongings after eagle-eyed police allegedly caught a man using a sneaky trick to steal a vehicle. Full details.

Police have issued a warning to beachgoers after officers spotted a man allegedly stealing a Ford Ranger using keys taken while its owner was gone for a swim.

At about 2pm on Sunday the eagle-eyed officers noticed a Kia Sportage which has been reported stolen cruising Surfers Paradise streets.

The vehicle had allegedly been taken from The Star in Broadbeach on January 17.

As they tracked the vehicle the officers saw the car stop. The driver then allegedly got out of the vehicle and hopped into the Ranger.

“Police weren’t aware at the time but what the offender had actually done was he’d allegedly stolen the set of keys and some swimmer’s property on the beach,” said Acting Superintendent Scott Knowles.

Acting Supt Knowles said police will allege the man then drove around looking for the vehicle that would be unlocked by the keys.

“Having found it, he allegedly used the keys to steal the vehicle,” he said.

Acting Supt Knowles said the man allegedly also stole property from a white BMW that had been left unlocked in the area.

“He’s entered this vehicle through the fact that the vehicle was left unsecured on the side of the road and has allegedly stolen items from the vehicle before then leaving the original stolen Kia,” he said.

Police ultimately tracked the Kia to the Oasis Shopping Centre in Broadbeach where they arrested a 36-year-old Broadbeach man.

He has since been charged with multiple burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle offences and will appear before Southport Magistrates Court next month.

Both the vehicles allegedly stolen were recovered by officers.

Police patrolling the beach in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Acting Supt Knowles said ahead of Australia Day on Friday the alleged ”low act” provided a “timely reminder” to beachgoers to take care of their belongings.

“It’s certainly a wake-up. Just be careful of your belongings,” he said.

“Similarly if your vehicle’s parked, just be careful, lock your doors.”

Police said they will be ramping up patrols across the Gold Coast for Australia Day, with a particular focus on parks and beaches where large crowds are expected to gather.

“We will have increased patrols out and around not only on our roads – with increased highway patrols breath testing and drug testing – but we have rostered additional police for the parkland precincts where people celebrate Australia Day to ensure people’s safety,” Acting Supt Knowles said.

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