Bryce Eishold
Two vehicles were stolen during separate burglaries in Morwell and Traralgon in the early hours of Thursday morning.
Police said the first vehicle, a dark red Hyundai i20, was stolen from a Marshalls Road, Traralgon property about 2.15am but was later recovered.
Detectives said the rear door of the house was unlocked which allowed the thieves to access the kitchen where they stole handbags and keys to the car.
Earlier in the morning, a 2004 Ford Falcon sedan was stolen from a Princes Drive, Morwell home about 1am.
Thieves entered the house through an unlocked rear door and stole the keys to the vehicle as well as cash from a wallet.
The car was later found burnt out in a pine plantation on Maryvale Road, Morwell.
Police reminded people to lock their doors when home and remove valuable items and keys from sight.
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Number plate operation
More than 1000 cars were scanned during a six-hour automatic number plate recognition operation in Morwell on Wednesday.
During the operation, Latrobe Highway Patrol members and local uniform police caught eight unlicensed drivers.
Three unregistered cars were detected while two disqualified drivers were caught.
Two male drivers were also caught drug-driving while one man was charged with handling stolen goods after displaying false number plates.
Latrobe Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Paul Douglas said 1080 cars were scanned at the operation sites on Commercial Road and Princes Drive in Morwell.
“It was successful but there’s still people doing the wrong thing. People are still not abiding by the rules they should be,” Acting Sergeant Douglas said.
“Later on in the year all highway patrol cars will have the on-board automatic number plate recognition system.
“This means there will be a higher rate of detection and an increased risk of getting caught.”
