A man who stole a ute in Hamilton on Saturday morning was apprehended hours later in Geelong after police used the vehicle's GPS tracking device to find him.
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It was written on the outside of the Toyota Hilux work vehicle that it was fitted with a GPS tracking device, but the man was able to steal the ute because it was left unlocked with the keys in it, police said.
Acting Sergeant Jim Beaumont, of Hamilton police, said the vehicle was stolen from a residential address about 4am and recovered about 7.30am after they notified Geelong police.
He said it had already been advertised on radio this week not to leave cars unlocked or keys inside vehicles even when at your own home.
Acting Sergeant Beaumont said the incident was another reminder to people to be more vigilant.
A 30-year-old Highton man was arrested in Geelong and charged with theft of a motor vehicle.
He was released on bail and is expected to appear in court in December.
In other news, a 40-year-old Hamilton man is expected to be charged with stealing registration plates overnight.
Hamilton police Sergeant Rex Habel alleged the man stole registration plates from two vehicles, a Holden sedan and a Ford sedan, in Hamilton's Walls Crescent overnight Sunday.
He said the man was assisting police with their inquiries and was expected to be charged with theft of number plates.
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