‘A moment of complacency, when seized on by a criminal, can be turned into a lot of misfortune for the rest of the community,’ Senior-Sergeant Michael Dalla-Costa said.
The Mt Claremont owner of the Holden Commodore utility left the keys when he went to get a coffee at the IGA Supermarket, Mosman Park about 9.35pm on September 9.
It will be alleged the utility was used when the windows of cars were smashed and wallets, iPhones, cash and purses taken.
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READ NOWThe thieves stole from three cars in Subiaco and three in Mt Claremont on September 14 and eight in Crawley, three in Swanbourne and two in Cottesloe on September 15.
Sgt Dalla-Costa said the utility and its driver were connected to the thefts after a woman was abused when she confronted a man in the vehicle after her car’s window was smashed in Birrigon Loop, Swanbourne, about 11am on September 15.
The woman’s description of the man and the utility allowed police to link him and his female partner to other alleged crimes since the start of this month.
‘It will be alleged they also stole a car from City Beach recently,’ Senior -Sergeant Jade Smith said.
A search of the couple’s Bayswater home on September 17 found at least five reported stolen vehicles, including the utility, and items including iPods and mobile phones.
A Bayswater man (40) was remanded in custody before he faces 33 charges including stealing, burglary and car theft at Perth Magistrates Court on October 10.
A Bayswater woman (43) faces 27 similar charges and was remanded in custody to reappear at the court on September 25.
See Streetwatch page 12