35-year-old Echuca man charged over alleged theft of motor vehicles from Echuca Intereach charity

An Echuca man has been charged after allegedly stealing five cars from a charity which helps people get around town, with the remaining alleged offenders on the run.

A man has been charged following the alleged theft of five cars from an Echuca charity last week. Picture: Supplied

An Echuca man has been charged after he allegedly stole five cars from a charity which helps people get around town.

The 35-year-old man was charged with burglary and theft of a motor vehicle after allegedly breaking into service provider Intereach on Hare St, Echuca.

Intereach provides information, services and support for children and families, people with disability, mental health and older people.

It has 17 offices across southern NSW, north/central Victoria and the Mallee, with more than 500 staff and 100 volunteers.

It is alleged a number of people broke into the charity and stole six sets of car keys, a number of mobile phones and a laptop on April 25.

The stolen cars are used by the organisation to assist elderly and people in the community get around.

Four of the cars have been found by police and are in the process of being returned to the organisation.

Intereach co-chief executive Yvette Buhagiar said the theft of Intereach vehicles from its Echuca office was disappointing.

Intereach CEO Yvette Buhagiar said the theft of Intereach vehicles from its Echuca office was disappointing. Picture: LinkedIn

“These vehicles play an important role in our ability to provide essential services to the

community, including in-home aged care support, group classes, and transportation for

clients to supermarkets and other necessary destinations,” Ms Buhagiar said. 

 “As a not-for-profit community services organisation, we have access to limited resources.

Our primary concern is always for our clients, many of whom rely on us to support their

daily needs, and we are committed to ensuring that despite the impact of this incident our

delivery of services will remain uninterrupted. 

“It is currently a police matter. We urge anyone with information regarding the theft to

come forward and contact Echuca police immediately.”

Police are still looking for a white 2017 Hyundai i40 wagon with the number plate 1KE9PD.

The remaining alleged offenders are still at large as police look to hunt them down.

The charged man will appear at the Echuca Magistrates’ Court on July 2.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.