A bright blue and yellow Hawaiian shirt might be more appropriate for the beaches of Oahu than a walk through the industrial areas of Port Kembla, but fortunately for police, the unusual outfit choice helped land them an arrest for a stolen car.
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Police received a report that a car had been stolen from Kenny Street, Wollongong about 4pm last Sunday.
CCTV footage showed John Robert Wright, in the colourful outfit, pull into an industrial building on Five Islands Road in the stolen vehicle a few minutes later, do a quick loop then exit the premises.
About four hours later, Wright returned in the stolen car, drove it to a secluded area at the rear of the premises and set the car on fire.
He waited for about 15 minutes until the vehicle was well alight before he left, still dressed in the Hawaiian shirt.
Early the next morning, Wright again returned to the address, this time riding a distinct ‘‘cruiser’’ type pushbike. He inspected the remains of the vehicle then left.
Police patrolling Port Kembla on Monday afternoon recognised Wright from the CCTV footage.
They offered to give him a lift home in the rain, and he invited them inside his home.
When spoken to about the stolen car, Wright pulled out the Hawaiian shirt from his laundry basket. Police also noticed the cruiser bike.
Wright tried to flee when police went to arrest him, however was captured after a short foot pursuit.
During a subsequent search police discovered a small amount of cannabis, as well as items belonging to the vehicle’s owner, including her wallet and iPod.
Wright was charged with larceny, damaging property by fire, driving while disqualified, resisting police and possessing a prohibited drug.
The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to the charges in Port Kembla Local Court on Tuesday and did not apply for bail.
He will remain in custody ahead of his sentencing next month.
