On trail of tool thieves

Anyone who may have information on any of these incidents is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

POLICE are on the hunt for tool thieves who made off with equipment from SkyHigh in Mount Dandenong last week.

Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said between 10pm on 9 September and 7am the following day, unknown persons broke into the workshop area at the venue, on Observatory Road.

The burglars then made off with a Kawasaki 4×4 All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), several chainsaws, fuel tanks and generators, with a rough value of $8000.

Det Sgt Barrow said the thieves would have needed a ute, a ute with a trailer or a truck to take all of the equipment.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who may have information, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Man faces multiple charges

A CROYDON man will face court later this month, after breaking into a council compound in Lilydale by driving through the gates.

Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said between 5pm on Monday 7 September and 6.20am the next morning, the 28-year-old man was believed to had broken into an Industrial Park Drive address in Lilydale.

“Offenders broke into shipping containers and several vehicles,” Det Sgt Barrow said.
Shortly after the break-in, Det Sgt Barrow said the man stole an Isuzu tip truck and crashed it through the boom gates at a Yarra Ranges Council compound in Nelson Road, Lilydale.

He was arrested nearby, and police have charged him with theft of a motor car and going equipped to steal, among other offences.

The truck was recovered by police in Oates Crescent in Lilydale.

He has been remanded, and will appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 28 September.

Futile bid to steal segways

A MAN is expected to face charges after attempting to steal four segways from Rochford Winery in August – only to get bogged on the way out.

At 5.30pm on Sunday 16 August, a man is believed to have stolen the segways, valued at $30,000 from a shed at the Coldstream winery.

Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said the burglary was bungled when the vehicle used for the robbery became bogged on the way out.

“Subsequently, we identified an offender, and that person has been interviewed and a brief of evidence is being prepared,” he said.

Det Sgt Barrow said no charges had yet been laid against the man, a 29-year-old of no fixed place of abode.

The segways were recovered from the car.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Secondary college vandalised
POLICE are searching for witnesses after a group of people broke into the Upper Yarra Secondary College campus last weekend.

At 8.30pm on Saturday 5 September, police believe a group of men and women entered the Little Yarra Road campus in Yarra Junction and sprayed graffiti on the exterior of some of the buildings.

“They then broke in via the roof and caused damage inside,” Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant, Pat Barrow said.

Nothing was reported stolen in the incident.

Anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.