Third arrest made after multiple stolen cars found in bits

A MAN has been banned from entering Dorset after multiple vehicles believed to have been stolen were found stripped of parts.

An investigation began on June 10 after two Fiat Abarth’s were reported stolen in north Dorset.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police Rural Crime Team said: “At around 2.10pm on Thursday 13 June 2024, officers stopped a vehicle on the A350 at Charlton Marshall.

“The occupants of the vehicle – a 30-year-old man from North Dorset and a 41-year-old woman from Wincanton – were arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle in relation to the two incidents.

“A vehicle was also seized as part of the investigation.”

Following this, a third arrest has now been made for a 28-year-old man from Wincanton for the theft of two vehicles.

Upon further inspection, a unit connected to the third offender was discovered and both vehicles stolen from Shaftesbury and Sturminster Newton were located.

The spokesperson added: “Desperate to find the vehicles, we attended a unit in Wiltshire and located both the vehicles that had been stolen from Sturminster Newton and Shaftesbury on the 10th June.

“Unfortunately, the vehicles were in no condition to be returned to the owners. We did find a number of other stolen vehicles as well as parts.

“The man has been bailed with conditions not to enter Dorset whilst officers continue to investigate.”