Man charged with allegedly recruiting children to partake in Mornington Peninsula thefts

Published:
Wednesday, 20 August 2025 at 3:05 am

Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following a string of car thefts and theft from motor vehicles, including offences where he allegedly recruited children to assist in carrying out crimes.

Detectives conducted extensive investigations into the series of incidents that occurred in the Mount Eliza, Mornington, Mount Martha, Bittern and Somers areas between 8 August and 14 August.

Officers attended a residence in Hastings where a 30-year-old man was arrested on Monday, 18 August.

He has subsequently been charged with 29 offences;

  • Recruiting a child to engage in criminal activity x3
  • Supply drug of dependence to a child x3
  • Possess methylamphetamine
  • Burglary
  • Theft
  • Theft of motor vehicle x2
  • Theft from motor vehicle x4
  • Attempted theft from motor vehicle
  • Handle stolen goods x2
  • Deal property suspected proceeds of crime
  • Criminal damage
  • Commit indictable offence whilst on bail x6
  • Contravene a conduct condition of bail x2
  • Resist police officer

He has been remanded and will next face Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 4 September, 2025.

Sam Bidey

Media Unit

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