Wreckers shut after stolen car find

Police have shut down a wrecking yard after uncovering stolen cars missing for up to three years.

A wreckers has been shut by police in Sunshine North.

A western suburbs wrecking business has been ordered shut by police after the seizure of allegedly stolen cars.

The business, in Sunshine North, was searched this morning by vehicle crime squad detectives over information it was breaching the Second Hand Dealers Act.

Investigators carrying out the warrant also found indications of a second holding yard nearby and have seized a total of three vehicles, missing for up to three years.

They were a 2000 Mercedes A190 which was allegedly stolen in 2018, a Ford AU Fairmont taken in 2017 and a de-identified motorcycle.

A 35-year-old St Albans man has been charged with handling stolen goods, possessing or negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime, failing

to keep accurate records, buying unidentified vehicles for scrap and failing to notify authority of a change of address.

He was bailed to appear at the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on 25 November.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said an interim closure notice had been issued on the business.

Acting Sen-Sgt Scott Williams of the vehicle crime squad said vehicle theft had a long-lasting impact on victims.

He said parts of the cars recovered today were missing.

“It suggests they were acquired to support the

stolen parts market, which often funds other established crime networks. That is

among the reasons why we take these crimes extremely seriously, and always

investigate every report thoroughly,” Sen-Sgt Williams said.

[e-mail]