Police are again calling on Tasmanians to keep their properties secured, after today arresting a 17-year-old over several home burglaries and vehicles stolen from Hobart’s eastern shore recently.

Detective Sergeant Felicity Boyd said the teenager reportedly entered several unlocked homes overnight throughout the last month, taking the keys to cars which were later stolen.

“This alleged offender was primarily acting alone, and these matters are unrelated to similar instances that police charged two brothers over earlier this month,” she said.

“Unfortunately the reality is that insecure homes and vehicles are targets for criminals, and we cannot be any clearer about the importance of people keeping their cars and houses locked – even when at home.”

The 17-year-old was charged with:

• 7 x home burglaries
• 8 x motor vehicle stealings
• 10 x drive while disqualified offences

“He was also charged with setting fire to one of the stolen vehicles, hooning, and dangerous driving – with police alleging he drove at speeds of close to 200km/h, while recording himself on a mobile phone, on two separate occasions.”