POLICE are investigating after two cars were set alight in one night.
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A 2003 grey Falcon ute parked in Hare St opposite OPT nightclub was stolen between 5pm and 10pm on Tuesday night.
Thieves drove it to bushland at the end of Watson St behind the Echuca cemetery and torched it.
Owner Richard Chirnside said the two side and rear dropsides from the steel tray and the rear carry rack were removed before the ute was torched.
The car was found burnt out at 12.30pm yesterday.
‘‘It will be a good outcome if the low life that do these things can be found and charged,’’ Mr Chirnside said.
It is unknown if the vehicle was used in any crime before it was set alight.
However, a burglary was reported in Eyre St between Sunday and Wednesday morning.
Senior Constable James Scambler of Echuca Criminal Investigation Unit said about $5000 worth of power tools and two children’s motorbikes were stolen from a shed in the back yard.
Another vehicle was also set alight on the corner of Bowen St and Amaroo Court early yesterday.
Snr Constable Scambler said the owner of a 2002 Volkswagen Passat reported hearing his dog barking at 1.40am and went outside to find his vehicle, parked on the nature strip, on fire.
‘‘The car is completely destroyed,’’ he said.
Echuca CFA and police attended the fire.
Snr Constable Scambler said police were appealing for any witnesses to come forward.
And with an increase of vehicle thefts in the past few months, he urged car owners to be vigilant.
‘‘Make sure you keep your cars locked and valuables out of sight to deter offenders,’’ he said.
Anyone with information about any of these incidents can contact Echuca police on 5483 1500 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.