A Creswick man has been charged with 25 offences following a joint police investigation into a series of burglaries across western Victoria.
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Following eight burglaries - at Coleraine, Donald, Heywood, Stawell, Swan Hill, Timboon and Wendouree - in late March and early July, detectives from across the region identified that there were similarities between the incidents.
Detectives from Ballarat Divisional Response Unit and Swan Hill and Hamilton Criminal Investigation Units put their heads together after identifying that during the burglaries vehicles had been stolen and number plates changed, with a number of the stolen cars later located abandoned and burnt out.
From there, detectives executed four search warrants at a number of addresses in Ballarat - at Sebastopol and Mount Pleasant on August 5.
While executing one search warrant in Sebastopol, detectives seized a variety of evidence relating to the burglaries.
At a Mount Pleasant address, detectives seized alleged stolen property valued at approximately $50,000, as well as imitation firearms.
Police are continuing to investigate the burglaries connected to what was located at this address.
Following the execution of the search warrants, a 28-year-old man was arrested at a Creswick address the same day.
He has been charged with a range of offences, including:
- Four counts of burglary
- Four counts of theft
- Five counts of theft from motor vehicle
- Theft of motor vehicle
- Three counts of handling stolen goods
- Arson
- Firearm offences
- Bail-related offences
- Unlicensed driving
The 28-year-old has been remanded in custody and will appear at the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on August 27.
A 34-year-old male, who presented himself to the Ballarat Police Station on August 6, has also been interviewed in relation to two burglaries, two thefts, three thefts from motor vehicle, one theft of motor vehicle, two accounts of handling stolen goods and arson.
He was released pending further enquiries.
The joint investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au