State Security Investigation Group detectives have charged a man in relation to several incidents in which vehicles were entered without permission.
As part of a previous unrelated joint WA Police and Australian Federal Police investigation, in October 2020, detectives executed a search warrant in Como, which resulted in several electronic devices being seized. A subsequent analysis of those devices has led to further disruptive activity where it will be alleged more than 60 videos were located which are believed to have been filmed in Western Australia.
These videos depict a man entering and damaging several vehicles by leaving bodily fluids in the vehicles. Four of the videos have been matched to incidents reported to WA Police Force, and on Tuesday 16 February 2021 detectives from the State Security Investigation Group and Australian Federal Police executed search warrants at residences in Como and Coolbellup where a 34-year-old man was arrested.
It will be alleged the man was involved in the following four identified incidents:
Incident One: Sometime between 9:00pm Sunday 21 October 2018 and 7:20am Monday 22 October 2018 a black Mazda 3 sedan was broken into via a smashed window on Melville Parade, Como. No items of note were stolen.
Incident Two: Sometime between 9:00pm Wednesday 27 February 2019 and 7:00am Thursday 28 February 2019 a red Mazda 3 sedan was broken into via a smashed window on Labouchere Road, Como. No items of note were stolen, however some damage was caused to the car's body and door trim.
Incident Three: Sometime between 6:00pm Thursday 18 July 2019 and 7:00am Friday 19 July 2019 a blue Mazda CX-5 SUV was broken into via a smashed window on Robert Street, Como. No items of note were stolen, however some damage was caused to the car's paintwork.
Incident Four: Sometime between 5:00pm Thursday 12 November 2020 and 8:00am Friday 13 November 2020 a blue Honda Accord sedan was entered via unknown means on Canning Highway, Como. No items of note were stolen, however faeces and urine was spread across the inside of the vehicle and one of the front seats had been sliced open.
A 34-year-old man from Como has now been charged with four counts of Criminal Damage. The man is due to appear in the Perth Magistrates Court today, Thursday 18 March 2021.
The investigation is ongoing as Detectives continue to work to identify vehicles in the remaining videos.
Anyone in the Como and surrounding areas who believe their vehicle may have been targeted in a similar manner is encouraged to make a report to WA Police Force by calling 131 444 or by making a report at a local police station.
