Ballarat Divisional Crime Investigation Unit (DCIT) have charged a teenage boy after he allegedly stole four cars in one day.
Officers were conducting patrols in the Ballarat area on Wednesday 17 June when they spotted their 16-year-old suspect.
When investigators approached the boy, he attempted to flee on foot and was apprehended after a short foot pursuit.
The boy was searched, with officers locating a seizing a small quantity of methylamphetamine and GHB, along with scissors, a spanner, gloves, and a surgical mask.
After being interviewed, detectives charged the boy from the Ballarat area with:
- (x4) theft of motor vehicle
- unlicensed driving
- careless driving
- fail to stop motor vehicle on police direction
- state false name
- possess methylamphetamine
- possess GHB
- going equipped to steal
- (x6) commit indictable offence on bail.
Police will allege the cars were stolen from Mount Helen, Leigh Creek, Bacchus Marsh and Maddingly on Friday, 12 June.
The boy was remanded to appear before a children's court at a later date.
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Andrew Brady:
"Since 29 March, detectives from Ballarat Divisional Crime Investigation Unit have arrested and charged more than 75 car thieves and seized around 265 stolen vehicles.
"Our officers been working incredibly hard to catch car thieves in the Ballarat area. We are out in the evenings and overnight to catch them red handed.
"It's our priority to make sure these offenders continue to feel the heat and keep our community safe."
