TWO men on a meth-induced crime spree allegedly used stolen identities to make $28,000 worth of fraudulent purchases following burglaries in East Perth, Highgate and Burswood.
A Westminster man (30) was arrested in Joondalup on February 16 in relation to the theft, and was remanded in custody to face 40 assorted fraud, stealing, criminal damage and burglary charges at Perth Magistrates Court on March 29.
His alleged accomplice (27), of no fixed address, arrested in Yokine a short time later, was remanded in custody to appear at the court to face 15 assorted stealing, burglary, trespass, car theft and fraud charges on March 1.
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READ NOWSenior Sergeant Craig Davis said the alleged spree began after a driver’s licence and bank and credit cards were stolen from a Redcliffe residence in mid-January.
It will be alleged the cards were used to book into several Perth hotels, where property was stolen and rooms damaged at Crown Casino, Burswood.
$15,000 was allegedly removed from victims’ bank accounts, and stolen ID was used to get credit at electrical stores for products worth about $8000 across Perth.
Sgt Davis said the stolen bank cards were used for “tap and go” purchases of about $4000, and two assumed identities were used to hire two cars.
The cars were allegedly used in several burglaries near Burswood, before police in Perth and Joondalup found them.
A victim’s driver’s licence and credit cards were allegedly used to create a mobile phone account and get credit to buy a watch from jewellers Mazzucchelli’s in Perth.