Olympic Seaview

A HAPLESS caravan thief sped off without his spoils when the caravan he had stolen became unhooked from his getaway vehicle as police chased him at breakneck speeds through Melbourne suburbs.

The $65,000 Olympic Seaview careered out of control as the offender drove down a walkway and disappeared along a freeway, leaving the caravan to come to a standstill in roadside wetlands.

The drama began when Springvale Caravan Centre owner Darren Millott was alerted by an alarm at the business about 1.30am.

He telephoned brother Steve, who lives closer to the yard, and he saw the caravan being towed away by a bronze or gold coloured 4WD.

Steve alerted police and followed the rig as it sped through darkened back streets at speeds of more than 100kph before he lost sight of it in Keys Road.

But a police patrol car took up the chase after spotting it Gladesville Blvd in Patterson Lakes at about 2am.

The desperate thief weaved round parked vehicles, over roundabouts and kerbs and through traffic islands until the caravan finally broke away from his vehicle in Wells Road, Seaford, after hitting a speed bump on a sweeping bend.

Police said the offending 4WD was last seen travelling south on Francis Street.

The thief had cut through a wire fence of Mr Millott's yard in Springvale Road, Springvale South, before hooking up the caravan and driving off.

Two other caravans were stolen from Thomastown in north Melbourne the previous night.

Steve said there was a huge market for stolen and rebirthed caravans throughout Australia. "Very few are recovered,'' he added.

Anyone with information on the thefts is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.com.au

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