An alleged serial thief was arrested and had a carful of stolen property seized after being caught up with by Water Police in Queenscliff on Monday.
The Water Police Squad – which has a new permanent base at Queenscliff – was called to reports of a man behaving suspiciously near the Pilot’s Station foreshore about 9am.
Shortly after, officers located a 45-year-old man inside a vehicle parked a short distance away in the Weeroona Parade carpark.
A search of his car located a quantity of methylamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, as well as a large amount of allegedly stolen property.
The Taylors Hill man was found with a bronze grave plaque which was allegedly stolen from the Point Lonsdale Cemetery in late 2024; over 50 four-litre tins of commercial grade “Moro” branded olive oil; more than 50 supermarket meat trays valued at more than $800; and other items.
Police will allege the man’s excuse for the stolen items was ‘going fishing’.
Investigators have notified the family of the allegedly stolen memorial plaque, which will be returned to them in due course, Inspector James Dalton of the Water Police Squad advised
“Water police spend most of their time on the water, but when alleged crimes occur on land, they have no hesitation in responding,” Insp. Dalton said.
The Taylors Hill man was charged with 10 offences including theft, possessing a drug of dependence (methylamphetamine), obtaining property the proceeds of crime and possessing house breaking implements or going equipped to steal.
He was bailed to appear before the Sunshine Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 7.
