Alleged car thief found sleeping inside stolen sedan

SMITHFIELD

Last updated: 08/03/2018, 07:10:00 (AEST)

Smithfield detectives arrested a man sleeping in a stolen car this morning. IMAGE: Newsport.

A MAN having a snooze in a reported stolen vehicle didn’t have a particularly pleasant start to his day yesterday.

Smithfield police were patrolling the car parking area of a local shopping centre at 8.30am when they located a sedan which had been reported stolen from Bentley Park on March 3.

Officers approached the parked vehicle and observed a man asleep inside.

He was awoken and a search of his backpack allegedly produced a small quantity of methylamphetamine, and a number of drug utensils.

“Officers conducted further inquiries in relation to the vehicle and spoke with the owner, who subsequently withdrew the vehicle theft complaint after realising the male located in the vehicle was known to them,” a Queensland Police spokesperson said.

With the vehicle theft complaint withdrawn, the issue of the items located within remained, and the 25-year-old Woree man was charged with one count each of possession of a dangerous drug, possession of a drug utensil, and failing to properly dispose of a syringe.

He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court later this morning.