Bike thefts investigated

Warragul was the target of a spate of bicycle thefts last week, leading local police to implore owners to secure their bikes while unattended.

A Giant-branded Talon 2 bicycle was stolen from the kerbside bike stand between Kmart and the Reject Shop in Warragul on Monday, September 21. The bicycle featured a black frame and brown lettering. It was replaced in the stand by another bike with a flat tyre.

Three days later, an unsecured bicycle was stolen from outside Coles Warragul. Again, the stolen bicycle was replaced, this time with an older older-model mountain bike.

Neither bicycle has been recovered, and while police cannot confirm whether the two swap-style thefts were connected, it is part of their investigation.

In an unrelated incident, also on Thursday, an electric bike valued at $1300 was stolen from Normanby St in Warragul. The bicycle, a Fortis Fatbro branded model, was positioned against a parked car and stolen between 9pm and 6:15am the next day while the owner slept inside the vehicle.

Police said the owner had removed the bike's battery, requiring offenders to pushed it away.

Police are appealing for witnesses or dashcam footage that may assist in the investigation.