Warrnambool detective investigates string of motor vehicle theft across region

A Camperdown family awoke to the screeching of brakes as their 2021 Kia Carnival was stolen from their garage about 3.30am on Tuesday.

Melissa Sinnott said it was a huge shock because their garage was set back about 25 metres from the road.

She reported the theft to police while her husband Stephen attempted to follow the vehicle in his car.

The brazen act was witnessed by the couple's son driving past their home about 10 minutes later.

Mrs Sinnott said the thief or thieves had hit the family's basketball ring and their fence when stealing the car.

"There's damage down the passenger side of the car," she said.

Mrs Sinnott said she was shaken by the theft.

"We're devastated. The car was brand new in September and it's the first new car we've had in 15 years."

Mrs Sinnott said Camperdown police had advised the couple their car had been spotted by an off-duty police officer in Melbourne.

"It's scary," she said.

"We've got four young children and to think they've come all the way down the driveway. You don't think it's ever going to happen to you."

In another incident, a car thief desperate to get away has rammed a victim's vehicle while trying to flee with it.

Detective Senior Constable Rob McKinley, of the Warrnambool police crime investigation unit, said a white Ford Ranger single cab utility (registration ZHX991) was stolen from a property in Dennington's Gat Sing Way on December 29 about 1.30am.

He said the victims located the stolen vehicle travelling in Warrnambool later that day and attempted to intercept it.

The detective said the thief rammed the second vehicle owned by the victim before driving away erratically.

"The Ford Ranger was last seen near Wangoom Road shortly before 10am," Detective Senior Constable McKinley said.

He said the victims were quite shaken up and that both vehicles would likely have suffered minor damage.

The detective said that the stolen vehicle was "quite distinctive" with a frame on the back used by glaziers to carry glass panels.

Then on New Year's Eve, a 2016 Isuzu D-MAX was stolen from a property in Warrnambool's Hoki Street.

Detective Senior Constable McKinley said the theft occurred between 10pm on December 31 and about 6am on New Year's Day.

He said that vehicle was later located in Port Fairy about 10am on Saturday and was not damaged.

The detective said police were also investigating another Ford Ranger stolen during a burglary at a property on the Princes Highway at Port Fairy.

He said the burglary took place between 8pm on Sunday and 12.20am on Monday where a silver Ford Ranger utility (registration 1BU8UH) was stolen.

"That vehicle remains outstanding," Detective Senior Constable McKinley said.

"It is also quite distinctive with a black tarp and bull bar and black wheels. It also has a big UHF antenna."

At the time of the theft, the silver Ford Ranger had camping gear, including a mattress for a swag, inside and an aluminium box trailer attached to the back.

The trailer was later located on Southern Cross Road at Tower Hill.

Detective Senior Constable McKinley said the trailer likely became detached while the thief was driving erratically, causing it to collide with a nearby sign.

He said police received reports of the camping gear being sighted on the roadside of Koroit's Commercial Road but it could not be located.

The detective said it was unknown if the thefts were linked.

He urged anyone who had sighted camping gear in the vicinity of Koroit, or with any information about any of the car thefts, to contact him at Warrnambool police station.

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