Queensland Police have charged a man with more than 80 offences after a spate of thefts from more than 30 trucks in Brisbane and Logan – with the damage bill estimated to be in excess of $250,000.
Police will allege the male driver of a black VU SS Holden utility attended various industrial areas, predominately during weekends, when businesses were shut.
Once on site, Police say he would then remove catalytic converters from heavy vehicle exhaust systems using a special type of saw.
Centenary Crime Scene detectives working on Operation Sierra Fox will further allege the crimes occurred in places including Acacia Ridge, Crestmead, Murarrie, Wacol and Yatala.
Detectives said more than 30 trucks had been targeted, with many of the thefts causing the vehicles to be inoperable.
The combined vehicle repair cost is believed to be in excess of $250,000.
The 27-year-old Browns Plains man was arrested by officers from the Centenary Crime Team in the early hours of yesterday morning and taken to the Richlands watchhouse.
He has since been charged with 20 counts of stealing, 23 counts of wilful damage and 11 counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence.
The man is further charged with five counts each of drive uninsured vehicle, vehicles on roads must be registered, offences involving registration certificates, six counts of driving a motor vehicle whilst disqualified by a court, two counts each of evade police and possession of dangerous drugs, one count each of possession of property suspected of having been used in the connection with a drug offence and possess utensils or pipes.
He is next due to appear in the Richlands Magistrates Court on September 21.
Anyone with dashcam vision or further information is urged to contact police.
