Two Hobart brothers, allegedly responsible for a “series of crimes” across Hobart’s Eastern Shore over the past week, have been arrested.
The 17-year-old and 19-year-old siblings are suspected of stealing “several vehicles” from the Howrah and Bellerive areas, as well as unlawfully “entering an unlocked home whilst the occupants were asleep”, stealing both the car keys and the vehicle itself.
Investigators allege the unlicensed 17-year-old also “actively evaded police” in one of the stolen cars and drove dangerously along the East Derwent Highway between Gagebrook and the Risdon Vale roundabout yesterday afternoon.
His ‘reckless driving’ forced many road users to take “evasive action to avoid a collision,” Detective Sergeant Felicity Boyd from Bellerive CIB said.
“The stolen car – identified as a white Mitsubishi Triton dual cab ute – was observed travelling at excessive speeds on the incorrect side of the highway and crashed into the passenger side of a Mitsubishi ASX travelling on the correct side of the highway.”
“Thankfully, the occupant of this vehicle was not injured, however the vehicle sustained damage.”
Sergeant Boyd said the arrests are a “timely reminder” of the importance of ensuring your home is locked, even when you’re inside, to reduce the risk of burglary.
“People should be able to leave their homes and cars unlocked but the reality is an unlocked house or vehicle is a target for offenders, who are often opportunistic.”
Anyone who witnessed the Triton on the East Derwent Highway around 1:30pm yesterday afternoon or who may have dashcam footage is asked to contact police on 131 444.
The 19-year-old was remanded in custody to appear at a later date, while the 17-year-old will appear before a Youth Justice Court today.
