FOUR Warrnambool young men will be charged with theft of electrical items from an Italian couple at Cannon Hill on Thursday night.
Warrnambool policeman Sergeant Chris Asenjo said the couple was sitting at the Cannon Hill rotunda about 10.30pm with a laptop computer and a digital camera when they were approached by a young man.
He said the man sat down before picking up the camera and laptop and fled south down the walkway towards Lake Pertobe where a car was waiting.
“The couple gave chase and the thief dropped the laptop before being driven off,” Sergeant Asenjo said. “The laptop was recovered and the theft reported to police.”
Sergeant Asenjo said police officers worked tirelessly throughout the night on supplied information to find the offenders.
“There was a decent description of the young man and the car which provided suggestions about who might have been involved,” he said.
“The intensive investigations resulted in the four young men being arrested and the recovery of the stolen digital camera.
“The young men, aged between 16 and 24 years old, were interviewed and will be charged on summons with theft to appear in court at a later date.”
Sergeant Asenjo said “excellent police work” led to the arrests. “It was an excellent result,” he said.
“With tourists being involved we wanted to complete the investigation as quickly as possible because they want to be on the move.
“Tourism is very important to Warrnambool and we want to look after these people, particularly when they are victims of crime.
“It’s an important part of what we do,” he said.
athomson@fairfaxmedia.com.au