Teenager arrested for alleged 30 car break-ins in Ringwood
Police believe they have put a halt to a spate of thefts from cars in Ringwood after they arrested an alleged active offender, who took everything from wallets to a nappy bag.
Outer East
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A teenager accused of stealing everything from wallets to a nappy bag from 30 cars throughout Ringwood has been granted bail.
Police arrested a 19-year-old Ringwood man on Wednesday, August 19 in relation to a spate of car break-ins throughout the suburb over five weeks.
Maroondah dectective Sergeant Lee Nichols said officers went to the man’s home and found dozens of items including wallets, handbags, tradie tools, sunglasses, earphones, prescription glasses and a nappy bag, allegedly stolen during the break-ins.
Sgt Nichols said the man was also suspected of involvement in the theft of a car in Barren Ct in the same period.
He was remanded to face the Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 20 and was granted bail despite opposition from police.
The man was charged with car theft, aggravated burglary and multiple theft from car offences, and bailed to appear again at the court on September 3.
Sgt Nichols said there had been no reported car break-ins in Ringwood since the 19-year-old’s arrest on August 19, and officers had spent the past week returning stolen items to owners.
“He was a very active offender, and we’ve disrupted and stopped his offending,” Sgt Nichols said.
“We remind people not to leave valuable items in their vehicles where possible.”
Sgt Nichols urged people to put their licence number or surname on items in case they were stolen and recovered by police.
He said detectives were still searching for a Yarra Ranges man of a similar age who is suspected of assisting the 19-year-old with the car break-ins.
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