Hunter Car Stealing Syndicate Smashed

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police have smashed a long time running car-stealing racket in the Hunter.

Strike Force Luchetti has been investigating a syndicate of vehicle theft throughout the Central Hunter and Lake Macquarie Local Area Commands since September where vehicles were stolen and parts of vehicles were exchanged for drugs.

Following extensive investigations, an 18-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday.

He was charged with two counts of steal from motor vehicle, trespass, goods in custody, self administer prohibited drug and fraud.

The 18-year-old was granted conditional bail and will appear at Toronto Local Court next Tuesday (December 12, 2017).

Strike Force Luchetti investigations continue.

Crackdown on car theft in Lake Macquarie

BY JESSICA ROUSE

An ongoing investigation into car theft in Lake Macquarie has been keeping officers busy, with six people arrested and charged with theft in the area.

Operation Patrol officers from the Lake Macquarie Target Action Group recovered 15 stolen motor vehicles after searching 28 people and 123 cars.

Further investigations led officers to a property on Suttor Street in Edgeworth where they seized a stolen 4WD which is alleged to be stolen.

A 17-year-old was arrested at the scene and charged not only with stealing the vehicle, but also with three counts of goods in custody.

He was taken to Belmont Police Station and granted conditional bail to appear at a Children's court later this month.

Investigations continued, with Strike Force officers aiding in another search on a property on Main Road in Edgeworth yesterday, where police located and seized another 4WD, a box trailer and two 4WD engines.

Investigations will continue.