Donvale Christian College: Wantirna man arrested after alleged $100k crime spree

For weeks schools across the eastern suburbs have been hard hit be a series of thefts. Now police have caught up with the alleged thief.

A man has been arrested after a series of alleged thefts at Donvale Christian College and two other schools in Melbourne's east. Picture: Donvale Christian College Facebook.

A man police allege has ripped off schools across the eastern subrusb to the tune of more than $100,000 has also been slapped with drug-related charges.

Maroondah detectives intercepted a Wantirna man, 35, on Boronia Rd on the afternoon of February 5 over alleged thefts at Donvale Christian College.

Senior Sergeant Rowan Courtis said there had been seven thefts over “a number of weeks” at the school’s Tindals Rd campus, which is undergoing renovations.

“It was particularly concerning as it (the thefts) was affecting the construction works at the school, and it was distributing for students and families because of the large number of burglaries focused on that school,” he said.

The man was also linked to alleged thefts from Warranwood Primary School and Wandin North Primary School.

Sen-Sgt Courtis said the man’s alleged haul included more than 20 laptop computers, power tools and sporting equipment, with the looted goods valued at more than $100,000.

Officers uncovered the goods after they raided a Knox storage facility and a Wantirna home.

Sen-Sgt Courtis said the man had allegedly tried to sell off the stolen items at second-hand dealers around Melbourne, including shops in Prahran, Burwood and Maribyrnong.

“We have recovered some of the property at second-hand dealers, and we are working through the process to return the items to their owners,” he said.

The man was allegedly out on bail and officers found a quantity of methamphetamine inside his car.

He was charged with 10 counts of burglary, as well as theft, bail and drug related charges.

Sen-Sgt Courtis said the man faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 5 and was bailed to face Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on the charges on February 12.