Auldana man undie arrest

Kate Jenkinson

05May08

A MAN has been charged with the theft of more than 40 knickers from local backyards, following a month-long police operation. 

The Auldana man, 19, was arrested on Anzac Day (April 25), after police allegedly caught him in the act after setting up a surveillance camera in a Rosslyn Park backyard.

A Park Ave woman first contacted police in March, complaining underwear and clothing had been stolen from her clothesline.

Police said the man was accused of striking again on April 5, for a second time, but this time the surveillance camera was in place.

The arrest was made after further patrols and a doorknock of the area. Norwood Police Sen-Constable Tabetha Snowden  said the community input was vital in the arrest being made.

Police allegedly seized more than 40 knickers from the man's home.

He was charged with two counts of unlawfully being on property, two counts of theft and one count of going equipped, after police allegedly found a screwdriver concealed up his left sleeve.

He will appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on August 6, 2008.