At 6:10 am this morning (2 Oct 2014), a blue Subabu Impreza stolen from Claremont, reversed into the shop front of the Ashbolt Store at Ashbolt Road, Lutana. Three men entered the store and attempted to make off with the cash register and food goods prior to being challenged by the store owners who reside on site. Approximately $3000 damage was caused to the shop front and a small amount of money stolen.

The men fled the store in the stolen motor vehicle, that was later set alight and completely destroyed at the northern end of Bowen Road, Lutana. Uniform Police from across Southern District coordinated a response that led to the arrest of three men a short distance from where the motor vehicle was set alight.

Detectives from Glenorchy CIB conducted further investigations and subsequently interviewed a 31 year old man from Glenorchy, a 25 year old man and a 17 year old youth from Bridgewater. All three were jointly charged with Motor Vehicle Stealing, Unlawfully Set Fire to Property, Burglary and Stealing; and will appear in the Hobart Magistrates Court in November.

Police would like to thank members of the public that assisted police with their investigations and request anyone that observed suspicious activity in the vicinity of Ashbolt Crescent at 6:00 am on Thursday morning to please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.