Wangaratta police swooped on the Cusack Street home about 6.45am on Sunday after the mother of one of the three children sleeping in swags took photos of the offender on her phone and immediately contacted police.

The man, who was allegedly ejected from the train at the Wangaratta station beforehand, was tracked down by police soon after closeby the property where he stole an undisclosed sum of money from the boys’ wallets.

Sergeant Martin Torpey said the man was found in possession of other stolen property upon his arrest.

“Police were able to match the photos taken by the lady with the offender who was arrested just down the road,” he said.

“Police arrived within minutes of being notified about the incident.

“He was also found in possession of a ladies handbag and figurines.

“He will be charged with theft from the boys’ wallets and enquiries are pending on other offences. The boys slept all the way through it.

“We were thankful the mum saw it all happen and took some photos on her phone.

“He will be bailed to appear at Wangaratta Magistrates Court at a date to be fixed.”

Sergeant Torpey said the man was not known to police in Victoria.

“He told us he was kicked off the train on Saturday night,” he said.

“We are unsure of the circumstances around that, but he then started to wander around town.”