20 September 2017

ACT Police looking for a green-thumbed thief

| Glynis Quinlan
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Police are looking for a green-thumbed thief with a penchant for pretty flowers, such as camellias.

Police are looking for a green-thumbed thief who appears to have a serious case of garden envy.

The male thief has stolen plants from the front garden of a Conder home four times in the past four months, with the plants having a total value of $1,000.

His furtive night-time raids have been caught on camera with ACT Policing releasing CCTV footage of the thefts.

The thief appears to have a penchant for pretty flowers, stealing a total of seven camellia plants, five viburnums and 11 obelia plants.

Police say the man committed his first offence on May 22 when he stole two camellia plants, three viburnums and seven obelia plants from the Conder yard.

The next garden raid occurred sometime between 5.30 am and 8 am on June 6, when the man returned to the property and stole three camellia plants.

He returned to the garden again on July 11 and stole a further two camellia plants and four obelia plants.

The man’s most recent theft occurred about 2.10 am on July 30, when he again returned to the property and stole two viburnums.

Police are urging anyone who has information that could assist police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously but please quote reference 6134821.

Below is the CCTV footage released by police.

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wildturkeycanoe6:54 pm 22 Sep 17

Video evidence isn’t so great without distinctive features like a number plate. Even in court, black n white might not be enough for a conviction I fear. Still, pretty low act on the part of the theif.

SallyGreenaway9:28 pm 21 Sep 17

This has happened to my family. It’s a horrible experience to have your things taken, including beloved plants that are planted for curb/street appeal for the immediate local community as well as for creating a lovely environment for insects and other fauna. It’s such a violation when someone comes and takes things you’ve put effort into and spent your hard earned money on for the benefit of everyone.

I would like to know how the owner of this property managed to get such a level of police interest. Are they a member of the police, a near relative or an elected official? Or do the police now take an active interest in stolen plants?

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