A Toyota Landcruiser — one of 10 stolen in a $600,000 heist from a Shepparton dealership in one of the largest single car thefts in the region — was destroyed after it was torched.
However, a Porsche 911 Carrera 4, Ford Ranger and Ford sedan were found dumped but undamaged in bushland at Kanyapella about 10am.
Sergeant Brendan Randoe of Echuca police said the Porsche, stolen from a Scobie Rd farm in Yambuna, and Ford sedan, taken from a McBain Rd property in Tongala, had been linked to several burglaries in the area.
The Ford Ranger was stolen from a Kerang Ford dealership.
Sgt Randoe said a neighbour had seen the Porsche being driven down the road followed by a white Landcruiser at 7.46am Sunday.
‘‘He knew the owner wasn’t home so he called police,’’ he said.
‘‘The Porsche was last seen on the Murray Valley Hwy heading west.
‘‘At 8am, the Porsche was seen by police along with the Landcruiser on the Murray Valley Hwy and both evaded police in the opposite direction, taking off at high speeds.
‘‘The Porsche was followed into Looker Rd where it continued at high speeds along the dirt roads which made pursuing too dangerous because of all the dust.
‘‘A witness suggested it was doing in excess of 150km/h.
‘‘At one stage, we had them pinned down to an area in the bush. We had roving patrols trying to find them and all the exit points were covered.
‘‘We also called the Air Wing but they couldn’t find anything.’’
About 9.40am, a report came in of a car on fire at the corner of Anderson and Old Aerodrome roads, Kanyapella.
The CFA was called but the Landcruiser, worth more than $100,000, was already destroyed.
Soon after, the Porsche, Ford Ranger and sedan were found in nearby bushland.
No offenders have been found and Sgt Randoe is appealing to the public for any information.
‘‘If anyone has any knowledge of persons involved or saw anyone walking or driving out of the area, we would encourage them to come forward,’’ he said.
The Landcruiser was one of 10 Toyota’s stolen from Shepparton Toyota on Melbourne Rd during a spree early Saturday.
About half of the vehicles were later found dumped in and around the Shepparton region.
One stolen vehicle was reportedly used to ram a set of storage units on Kialla Lakes Rd about the same time as the thefts, but the thieves failed to gain entrance.
People can contact Echuca police on 5483 1500 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
8°C