Cell death shakes police

By SHAUN INGUANZO
A DEATH in custody and an axe attack made for a nightmare 48 hours for Knox police last week.
Both Belgrave and Knox police stations recorded multiple incidents between 21 and 22 July, including the death of a woman being held in custody at Knox Police Station.
At 8pm on Thursday, 21 July Belgrave police investigating an incident that left a repair bill of $10,000 to a Croydon factory charged a 46yearold Selby man with criminal damage.
Police said machinery was damaged and 16 windows smashed at a factory along Centre Way, Croydon.
Police say that incident is related to another incident where a man was ejected from Ruby’s bar in Belgrave. It is claimed the man then returned to the bar with an axe and damaged a door.
A man was later arrested at his home in Selby.
Police say they later recovered an axe from a man’s car.
Earlier in the evening Knox police found 47yearold Georgia Lopiccolo had died in one of the station’s holding cells.
Police said the death was being investigated by the Victoria Police Homicide squad under supervision of the Ethical Standards Department.
A spokeswoman for Victoria Police said officers found Ms Lopiccolo dead in a cell at 6.40pm while on a routine welfare check.
Knox Senior Sergeant John Hess said: “It is not pleasant for anybody concerned, and it is an unfortunate circumstance that affects us all,” he said.
A spate of breakins, covered by both stations, accompanied what had already been a busy week.
Belgrave police investigated the theft of a $7000 projector from Tecoma Primary School after a breakin between 8pm on Thursday, 21 and 6am on Friday, 22 July.
Tecoma Primary School principal Anne Tonkin said while the projector was covered by insurance, students and teachers were distressed by the incident.
“It is disappointing for our children and our school community who have such strong pride in the school and a great community spirit and that outsiders have come in and spoilt that.”
Knox police were called out to other breakins at the Salvation Army Store and a hair styling salon, both along Station Street, Ferntree Gully, overnight on the 21 and 22 July.
Sen Sgt Hess said hairdressing equipment and cash to the value of $4000 was stolen from the salon while nothing was reported stolen from the Salvation Army Store.
He appealed to the community to be on the lookout for loiterers and to contact 000 immediately.