Man allegedly steals from Batlow bushfire evacuees' empty house: police

The man is alleged to have broken into a rural property on Old Tumbarumba Road around 3.30pm, ransacking the house before stealing a Ford Falcon.

No one was home at the time - the residents had left due to the dangerous bushfire activity.

The incident comes after Victoria Police local area commander Luke Kerr told a community meeting in Tallangatta yesterday that there would be increased police patrols in the area while residents evacuate.

"Unfortunately people from other areas potentially look at our vulnerability and see it as an opportunity to actually pilfer and steal," he said.

"It's a sad reality."

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Mr Kerr said there would be an increase police presence in the Towong shire in the coming days and weeks.

"Once the fire affected area is clear there will be proactive patrolling and securing of properties," he said.

"But we must take some of that into our hands as well and secure your property or remove your property to reduce the risk of being thieved.

"It's one thing to have property destroyed by fire its another thing to have lowlifes come in and actually steal your property."

On Thursday, NSW Police noticed a Ford Falcon "driving erratically" on Old Tumbarumba Road at Batlow a short time later and initiated a pursuit.

It was terminated soon after due to safety concerns, with police discovering the car crashed into a tree not long after.

A 19-year-old man who had been behind the wheel of the car was taken to Wagga Base Hospital, where he remains under police guard.

A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a backpack stuffed with items - including jewellery, documentation and ammunition - believed to have been stolen.

Investigations into the incident are continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or online at https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.