Police have recovered two vehicles stolen from a Warrnambool mechanic shop last week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Warrnambool police Senior Constable Lee Stewart said a 2010 Nissan Navara utility and a red Jeep Cherokee KK were stolen from Warrnambool's West Coast Service Centre on May 7.
The utility had a camping canopy attached and was valued at $52,000.
Senior Constable Stewart said the Jeep was located in Dennington's Hood Street on May 9.
"There was surprisingly no damage to the vehicle which is good," he said.
"The vehicle had a problem with its engine so it may have overheated prior to being dumped on the side of the road."
The Nissan Navara was located on Russells Road in Mailors Flat the following day.
"It was found hidden in a paddock between trees," Senior Constable Stewart said.
"The thieves had locked the vehicle. It was towed and assessed by crime scene investigators. It appears to have traveled in muddy terrain and has a bit of front-end damage after the vehicle ran through what is believed to be a steel gate.
"The vehicle was otherwise unharmed. It is really good to see that the cars weren't dumped and burnt out."
Senior Constable Stewart said police were still investigating the theft.
He said the vehicles were not involved in any other crimes, such as petrol drive-offs or burglaries.
He said police were in the process of reviewing CCTV footage, where an unknown male can be seen being dropped off at Warrnambool's Rooneys Road at 4.38am on May 7.
The offender is observed driving the stolen ute out of the premises at 4.49am. He returns at 5.30am and leaves in the stolen jeep four-minutes later.
Anyone with information should contact Warrnambool police on 5560 1333 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.