By Kat Wong

Australians have been warned to lock up their bikes and scooters over the holidays after police uncovered a trove of stolen e-bikes in a man’s home.

A 37-year-old has been charged after five stolen e-bikes, two e-scooters, a bicycle and drugs were allegedly found at his house in the Gold Coast suburb of Varsity Lakes.

Queensland Police said they had been investigating a pattern of e-bike and e-scooter thefts from nearby shopping centres when they searched his home on Christmas Eve.

The man allegedly stole a battery from an e-bike at Varsity Lakes Station about lunchtime on November 30, before taking an e-bike from a Burleigh Waters shopping centre less than a week later.

Battery-powered vehicles have surged in popularity with the sale and import of e-bikes nearly tripling in Australia since 2020, according to UNSW expert Milad Haghani.

Sergeant Alexander Collette has urged riders to remove temptation for thieves and lock up their vehicles.

“Thieves are opportunistic and will target bikes, scooters, vehicles and houses,” Sgt Collette said.

“This serves as a reminder over the holidays to ensure that you lock and secure your bikes, scooters, vehicles and houses.”

The 37-year-old man is expected to appear at Coolangatta Magistrates Court in January charged with five counts of possession of suspected stolen property and two counts of stealing.

News all day, every day at CityNewsQBN.com.au.