A 17-year-old Devonport youth has been apprehended by detectives in relation to a spate of burglaries in the Devonport area in the past month. The youth is to be proceeded against under the Youth Justice Act for 11 car burglaries, two house burglaries, 13 stealings, two attempted motor vehicle stealings, six instances of destruction of property and the fraudulent use of a stolen credit card.

Detective Sergeant Matt Rolls from the Devonport Criminal Investigation branch says, “This appears to be an instance of youth initially committing a crime of opportunity, which developed into a serious crime spree.”

Police remind people to consider their security, in particular locking motor vehicles and storing valuable items out of sight of would-be thieves.

If anyone sees people acting suspiciously around motor vehicles, particularly during the night, they should contact Tasmania Police at the time on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online at crimestopperstas.com.au