SOUTH Australian police tracked down a 17-year-old Horsham boy who allegedly stole a car and bike, with the help of police dog Marley.

Police have revealed details of the ‘extensive search’ which lead to the arrest of the teenager.

They said officers on patrol along Mount Baker Road, South Australia, approached a Holden Barina parked on the side of the road. 

As patrol approached two youths ran from the car, with four remaining in the vehicle. 

Police said one youth was quickly located while the second, the alleged driver, was found in Stirling, South Australia, after an extensive search and track by police dog Marley and her handler. 

Police checks on the Holden Barina found the vehicle was stolen in Horsham last week.

Police also allege the 17-year-old driver stole a blue Giant men’s mountain bike.

They charged the boy with illegal use of a motor vehicle, two counts of theft and driving while unlicensed.

The car’s other occupants were not charged.

PREVIOUSLY:

VICTORIA police have confirmed they have arrested a 17-year-old Horsham boy in relation to a stolen Holden Barina. 

They said the boy was arrested by South Australia police Mount Baker while in possession of the car.

Police said he would appear in the Mount Barker Local Court on Friday.

The owner of the stolen car, Shanice Green, previously told The Mail-Times since the car was stolen she had walked four kilometres to work every day.

“My partner and I haven’t had much luck lately, we haven’t had a car so we’ve been working to pay off this one,” she said. 

“Now we’re back to square one. I think basically everyone knows who it is, but they keep being let out on bail. It’s not good enough.

“It’s frustrating. They need to take responsibility for their actions.”

Miss Green said she hoped the offenders got help and thought about the affect they were having on people. 

“I was pretty upset when I realised,”  she said. “It’s hard not knowing if we’ll get it back or if it’ll be in one piece.”

PREVIOUSLY:

FIVE Horsham residents have been arrested over two separate car-related crime sprees this week, including a 15-year-old.

Police suspect there could also be a link in another vehicle theft in Horsham on Wednesday night.

On Tuesday, police arrested four Horsham residents after a string of thefts from unlocked vehicles.

Senior Sergeant Dave Ellis said a 15-year-old girl, 16-year-old girl, 19-year-old man and 28-year-old man were arrested on Natimuk Road in Horsham at 1.25am.

He said the quartet was charged with thefts from three motor vehicles in the Hudson Street, Valentine Avenue and Tydeman Street areas.

Horsham Inspector Rebecca Olsen said while youth crime had not increased, police were seeing an increase in crimes committed by known young offenders. 

“There are a number of youths known to us, they are what we call recidivist, offending in a greater number,” she said.

Earlier in the week, police arrested a 19-year-old woman on 21 charges in relation to a spate of four car thefts and burglaries in Horsham on September 26. 

Police said the woman was also charged with burglary after allegedly breaking into a garage to steal a vehicle and deception offences, after using a credit card stolen from one of vehicles. 

Senior Sergeant Ellis said a Holden Barina Sedan with number plate 1EM1CB was also stolen between 11pm on Tuesday and 6am on Wednesday. It still has not been located. 

Inspector Olsen said investigators were open to all possibilities but believed the recent increase in car crimes could be linked.

“I certainly think there’s a potential connection,” she said. 

“They’re all crimes of similar categories. 

“We suspect a common theme but we can’t discount it might be another offender.”

The owner of the missing Holden Barina, Shanice Green, said since the car was stolen she had walked four kilometres to work every day.

“My partner and I haven’t had much luck lately, we haven’t had a car so we’ve been working to pay off this one,” she said. 

“Now we’re back to square one. I think basically everyone knows who it is, but they keep being let out on bail. It’s not good enough.

“It’s frustrating. They need to take responsibility for their actions.”

Inspector Olsen said police had seen an increase in crimes committed by young offenders know to them. 

“It may start out with what the community considers less meaningful crimes, like graffiti,” she said.

“We do know anecdotally if those offenders aren’t addressed and rehabilitated they will continue to offend with offences becoming more serious. 

“We’re not seeing an increase in new youths coming through the system.”

Miss Green said she hoped the offenders got help and thought about the affect they were having on people. 

“I was pretty upset when I realised,”  she said. “It’s hard not knowing if we’ll get it back or if it’ll be in one piece.”

Police said the majority of the vehicles stolen recently had been unlocked.

“We’ve seen there’s an appetite for theft of vehicles,” Inspector Olsen said.

“In regional and remote areas we can be a bit more complacent with the way we deal with security.”

Inspector Olsen said lax security made crimes easier for criminals to commit and warned residents to lock their homes and cars. 

She said anyone with any information was urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.