By Luke Voogt
Geelong police have seized between $200,000 and $300,000 in allegedly-stolen items including three motorbikes, four bicycles, tools and a taser.
Geelong Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) detectives confiscated the items after raiding a property at St Albans, in Melbourne’s west, and arresting a 36-year-old man on Wednesday.
They charged the St Albans man with two counts of trafficking a drug of dependence, two counts of possessing a drug of dependence, four counts of handling stolen goods and three counts of possessing a prohibited weapon.
He has been remanded in custody and will appear at Sunshine Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
Police alleged the items they seized were stolen in burglaries and thefts across Geelong and Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said police would proactively target known hotspots to detect, disrupt and apprehend offenders.
“This recent arrest is a clear message that we treat matters such as these with the utmost seriousness and we will not stop until we arrest offenders and bring them before the courts.
“We’ll continue to investigate crime in a professional and diligent manner and ensure that offenders like this are stopped from committing offences.
“It’s important that people know that their homes and property are safe and secure.”
He urged anyone who noticed suspicious activity to contact police or phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
