Police probe Ocean Grove car thefts, break-ins

A string of car thefts and break-ins in a quiet corner of the Bellarine has left residents fearing they are being targeted.

Driftwood St resident Tess said she and her partner woke just after 5.30am on Monday morning to the sound of the car door shutting.

An Ocean Grove woman woke to see her ute being driven away by thieves before it was found crashed and abandoned along a major road just 30 minutes later.

Driftwood St resident Tess, who withheld her surname, said she and her partner woke just after 5am on Monday morning to the sound of their car door slamming.

“My partner heard the door of my ute and ran out just as the car was driving away,” she said.

A short time later police called to say the car had been found crashed along Barwon Heads Rd, she said.

The car was still in drive with no one in the driver’s seat when it was found.

Tess said CCTV footage from the Barwon Heads APCO showed the car turning onto Barwon Heads Rd.

“It had no headlights, but did indicate which cracks me up,” she said.

The theft and other attempted break-ins have sparked a fears residents are being targeted for their “laid-back” attitude.

Tess said another neighbour on Driftwood St had her keys stolen that night.

She said the thieves had also left another car, which she assumes was stolen, outside their house with the lights still on.

Casey Smith, who also lives on Driftwood St, said the crimes had shocked residents.

“I think most of the cars were unlocked because it doesn’t happen here,” she said.

“We’ve been here since 2010 and we’ve never had anything like this, any break ins.

“I’ll definitely put cameras up now and I never felt the need to before.”

She said there had also been reports of break-ins along nearby Bellevue Drive.

The ute was found on Barwon Heads Rd less than an hour later.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman confirmed police were investigating the car theft.

“It is understood unknown offenders gained access to the vehicle, which was parked on Driftwood St, about 5am,” she said.

“The unoccupied vehicle was located a short time later on Barwon Heads Rd with extensive damage.”

She said officers were also investigating after a number of items were stolen from a vehicle parked on Riviera Crescent about 4am on Monday.

“It is believed unknown offenders gained access to a property and stole a number of items from a vehicle parked at the address,” she said.

“The investigation remains ongoing.”

Neighbourhood Watch Bellarine co-ordinator Rhonda Rotherham said car and number plate theft was the most common crime in Geelong and these crimes seemed to be on the rise on the Bellarine.

“People tend to think - ‘It’s Ocean Grove, It’s pretty relaxed lifestyle, leaving cars unlocked is okay’ - well it just isn’t now unfortunately,” she said.

“There’s opportunists out there that walk the street just trying door handles.”

“This serves as a rather grim reminder that we must be vigilant and ensure our cars, utes, toolboxes, etc are locked and all valuables are removed from our vehicles.”

Anyone with information, anyone who may have witnessed the incident or with CCTV footage is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Police probe Ocean Grove car thefts, break-ins