‘It will be alleged his modus operandi was to wait for golfers to finish their games, and when they went to the club for refreshments, leaving their clubs outside, he would walk up, brazenly as you like, and walk off with them,’ Wembley inquiry team supervisor Sergeant Chris Fox said.
During late April and early May, police received reports of golf gear worth about $10,000 being taken from Wembley, Glen Iris and Cape Bouvard golf courses.
Clubs and their bags made by Callaway, Ping, Taylor and Lynx were taken. Credit cards in the bags were allegedly used to buy cigarettes, alcohol and other items to exchange for cash.
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READ NOWIt is suspected northern suburbs Marangaroo and Hamersley golf courses were also reconnoitred for thefts. An inquiry team officer knocking on the doors of likely selling locations for the high-end equipment found a set of allegedly stolen Callaway golf clubs worth $2500 in a Joondalup pawn shop.
After officers looked at CCTV footage from the shop, a man (41) was subsequently arrested at his Alexander Heights house on June 5.
Sgt Fox said the man was an avid golfer and it would be alleged he wore Callaway and Ping-badged clothing to fit in with players at courses. He was charged with four counts of stealing and 11 counts of fraud and will appear at Perth Magistrates Court on June 20.
Sgt Fox said all golfers now had to be vigilant with their equipment and report any recent or future suspicious behaviour on golf courses.
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.