A $12,000 engagement ring was stolen from a Yangery property at the weekend. 

Detective Senior Constable Elissa Smith, of the Warrnambool police crime investigation unit, said a Toyota Kluger and a safe were stolen from the Tower Hill Road property while the occupants slept. 

Located in the safe was personal paper work and an engagement ring valued at $12,000.

Senior Constable Smith said the vehicle was found burnt out on the side of the Hexham-Chatsworth Road near Hexham about 8am on Saturday. 

"The vehicle was found near paddocks about 15 kilometers from Mortlake," she said. 

"Police attended the scene and the car was still smoldering. CFA also attended to make the vehicle safe. 

"The vehicle was not salvageable." 

 Senior Constable Smith said the safe and its contents were still outstanding. 

"Police are appealing for information regarding the sighting of the car or ring," she said. 

The Toyota Kluger is one of several vehicles found torched and dumped in the south-west recently. 

A weekend crime spree between October 12 and 14 saw a number of vehicles stolen and torched in Warrnambool, while a stolen Ford Territory was torched and dumped at Mingay, north of Lismore, on October 11. 

Senior Constable Smith said police did not believe the stolen Toyota Kluger was linked to any other crime. 

"Investigations are still continuing," she said. 

"People should ensure that their premises are locked up before they go to bed and that no valuables are left inside of their car." 

Anyone with information should call Warrnambool police on 5560 1333 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.  

Earlier, 7am:

A stolen car has been found torched and dumped in Hexham at the weekend. 

Warrnambool police Sergeant Dave McDonald said a black Toyota Kluger was stolen from a property at Yangery, near Woodford, on Friday. 

He said unknown offenders entered the Tower Hill Road property between midnight and 6am. 

The occupants, a woman and her young child, were asleep at the time.

“They’ve stolen the keys to the house, a black Toyota Kluger and a safe containing jewelry and documents,” he said. 

The vehicle was later found dumped and set fire to in Hexham.

Anyone with information should call Warrnambool police on 5560 1333 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.