Two Yabba North residents have been charged with theft of cars, a boat, a caravan and trailers after a boat allegedly stolen from Yarrawonga was found at Ballarat on Thursday, December 29.
A 26-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman will face more than 30 and 20 charges respectively as part of a police investigation into a series of linked incidents across parts of Victoria.
Among the charges are 10 counts of theft of vehicles, as well as other theft charges, including the theft of a boat, caravan and trailers.
They have also been charged with burglary, handling stolen goods and possessing proceeds of crime.
The charges come after Western Region Crime Squad detectives recovered a $100,000 ski boat and several high-end vehicles as part of an investigation across western and eastern Victoria.
As part of the investigation, detectives responded to reports an allegedly stolen ski boat was spotted in Ballarat on Thursday, December 30.
Police said officers were aware the boat had been taken from the Yarrawonga Marina earlier in the day and had been following up several social media sightings when it was confirmed the boat, along with an allegedly stolen Toyota HiLux, was in Ballarat.
With assistance from the Police Air Wing, police on the ground responded and arrested four men and a woman at a Ballarat property about 2.45pm.
A search of the property uncovered a significant quantity of allegedly stolen property believed related to a series of burglaries across multiple towns, police said.
A quantity of alleged methamphetamines and suspected cocaine was also seized.
The investigation, which also includes the alleged theft of up to 10 high-end vehicles from Shepparton, Cobram, Yarrawonga, Ballarat, Horsham, Wodonga, Wangaratta and Deer Park, remains ongoing.
Also charged was a 24-year-old man from Smythesdale, who was charged with burglary, theft, five counts of theft of motor vehicle, and handling stolen goods.
A 27-year-old man from Bonshaw has also been charged with burglary, theft, five counts of theft of motor vehicle, trafficking cocaine, trafficking methamphetamines and handling stolen goods.
The pair, and the two people from Yabba North, will face the Magistrates’ Court on the charges.
A 21-year-old man from Delacombe was released and is expected to be charged on summons in relation to several driving matters.