Bendigo detectives have arrested two men following an investigation into an alleged spate of car thefts across the Bendigo region.
It's alleged the men were involved in more than 20 incidents between 29 April and 28 May across multiple suburbs including Castlemaine, Epsom, Flora Hill, Ironbark, Jackass Flat, Junortoun, Kangaroo Flat, Kennington, North Bendigo, and White Hills.
Incidents included:
• On 29 April, a Toyota RAV4 was allegedly stolen from a university in Bendigo.
• On 1 May, two Toyota Corolla's were allegedly stolen from Kennington, with one found burnt out a short time later.
• On 12 May, a Mazda 3 was allegedly stolen from Epsom.
• On 13 May, six cars were allegedly broken into at a Bendigo university carpark.
• On 16 May, a Toyota RAV4 was allegedly stolen near a hospital containing more than $12,000 worth of personal items and camping gear. That vehicle was found burnt out in Marong on 20 May.
• In a separate incident on 15 May, a car was allegedly stolen from a Castlemaine car dealership, where a car's on-board diagnostics system had allegedly been tampered with.
On 28 May, detectives from the Central Victoria Response Unit, Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit, Western Region Crime Squad, Bendigo Family Violence Unit, Bendigo Proactive Policing Unit and uniform members from Bendigo executed four search warrants at addresses in California Gully, Bendigo, North Bendigo, Kangaroo Flat.
Detectives seized multiple items of interest, including a stolen Subaru, a Holden Colorado, an imitation firearm, stolen credit cards, and tools connected to alleged car thefts.
A 21-year-old Bendigo man was arrested and charged with 43 offences, including prohibited person possess firearm, theft from motor vehicle, theft of motor vehicle, attempted theft from motor vehicle, commit indictable offence whilst on bail, contravene condition of bail, criminal damage by fire, and criminal damage. He was remanded to appear at Bendigo Magistrates Court at a later date.
Police also arrested a 20-year-old Bendigo man who is facing 22 charges including theft of motor vehicle, attempted theft of motor vehicle, criminal damage, unlicenced driving, theft from motor vehicle, attempted theft from motor vehicle, obtain property by deception, and criminal damage by fire. He is in custody and will appear at Bendigo Magistrates Court today.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quotes attributable to Western Region Division Five Investigation and Response Manager Detective Inspector Dan Davison:
"We hope these arrests send a strong message and put a stop to the recent spate of vehicle-related offences we've seen across Bendigo & surrounding areas of the community."
"This type of alleged offending causes real harm to victims and impacts people just going about their daily lives."
"We've worked methodically to piece this together, and the arrests are the result of some solid detective work."
"The community can be assured we're doing everything we can to hold those responsible to account."
"As this investigation highlights, we are prepared to pool our resources to assist and garner positive outcomes for the community."
