A POLICE taskforce has made 33 car-theft arrests since its establishment in August, most recently arresting a Higgins man and his female passenger.
On August 13, the 30-year-old man stole a Ford Ranger from a Gundaroo residence. It was later observed pulling into a Charnwood petrol station, where a passenger filled the car up with petrol before leaving without paying.
On Monday (September 5) a Subaru Forester was stolen from a residence in Coombs.
Yesterday both the Ranger and Forester were observed exiting a Yarralumla residence.
Police followed the vehicles to a metal scrap yard and observed the man allegedly selling the Forester for scrap, before leaving in the Ranger.
The man and his female passenger were arrested shortly afterwards in Mitchell.
The man has been charged with two counts of driving a motor vehicle without consent, two counts of numberplates being issued for another vehicle, and single counts of driving while disqualified and obtaining financial advantage by deception and theft.
The female passenger was charged with ride/drive a motor vehicle without consent.
The taskforce – Operationo TORIC – has laid a total of 115 charges since August 1.
Police are urging Canberrans to secure their vehicles and homes, with the majority of vehicle thefts occuring with the vehicle’s key.
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