Ballarat police charge alleged car thief

A Ballarat teenager has been charged after police allegedly linked him to the theft of four vehicles in a single day across the region.

Detectives from the Ballarat Divisional Crime Investigation Unit charged the 16-year-old boy following an arrest in Ballarat on Wednesday, June 17.

Police said officers conducting patrols in the area spotted the teenager before approaching him. Investigators allege the boy attempted to flee on foot but was arrested after a short pursuit.

During a search, officers allegedly located a small quantity of methylamphetamine and GHB, as well as scissors, a spanner, gloves and a surgical mask.

Following an interview, detectives charged the teenager with four counts of theft of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, careless driving, failing to stop a motor vehicle on police direction, stating a false name, possessing methylamphetamine, possessing GHB, going equipped to steal and six counts of committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Police will allege the vehicles were stolen from Mount Helen, Leigh Creek, Bacchus Marsh and Maddingley on June 12.

The boy was remanded in custody and will appear before a Children’s Court at a later date.

The charges come amid an ongoing focus by Ballarat detectives on vehicle theft and related offending across the region.

Detective Inspector Andrew Brady said investigators had made significant progress targeting alleged car thieves.

“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 have 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.”

Police continue to urge vehicle owners to lock their cars, secure keys and report suspicious activity as detectives work to reduce vehicle theft across the Ballarat region.

Anyone with information about vehicle theft or suspicious activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.