Man charged over three-month vandalism spree on cars parked in small pocket of Mt Martha
A man has been charged over an unusual spate of crimes frustrating Mt Martha motorists late last year, allowing police to put a persistent rumour about the baffling case to rest.
South East
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A man has been charged after a nine-month investigation into reports of a serial tyre slasher in Mt Martha.
About 40 cars had tyres ripped open by a knife-wielding vandal prowling eight residential streets after dark.
The attacks started in September last year and continued until late December.
Some victims were hit multiple times forcing at least one – who was targeted three times – to install CCTV.
Detective Alex Montgomery told the Leader late last year that 23 people had been affected since the start of October.
“He is committing the acts about midnight … between 12am and 1am,” he said.
The streets where cars’ tyres had been slashed were Glenisla Drive, Ramsay Court, Normanby Terrace, Buxton Court, Walara Drive, Dickinson Grove, Ferne Place and Marguerita Ave.
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit Detective Sgt Peter Drake said there was no truth to recent rumours that the vandalism of cars in Mornington was linked to last year’s Mt Martha incidents.
“There has been a rumour doing the rounds suggesting that the Mt Martha tyre slasher had moved to Mornington, but we’ve looked into it and it isn’t the case.”
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A Mt Martha man, 25, was arrested on May 18 and has been charged with eight counts of criminal damage.
More charges may follow.
The man has been bailed to appear before Frankston Magistrates Court on November 11.