By Romy Stephens
A driver that destroyed a community garden bed on the main roundabout in Monbulk has been identified and charged.
Police said the male driver intentionally drove through the roundabout, in a white 4WD ute, about 1.50am on 18 April, then returned 15 minutes later and did further damage.
The roundabout garden bed was organised by the township group and installed by students from Monbulk College in October last year.
Sergeant Luke Schroder from Monbulk Police said the driver was identified through his number plate and CCTV footage, after initially evading police.
“The driver basically just drove up intentionally onto the roundabout did a big burnout and took off. He came back about 15 minutes later and did the same, but did full circles,” he said.
“He took off onto the main street, police attempted to intercept him… There was no pursuit but he evaded the police.”
On 21 April a 32-year-old Monbulk man was charged with the damage and other traffic offences, including driving while disqualified, and had his vehicle impounded for 30 days.
He is expected to appear in court later this year.
Sgt Schroder said plans to restore the garden bed were already underway.
“I know there was a lot of anger in the community because the roundabout was finally looking good,” he said.
“A couple of local community members have offered to come in and do some work and we’ve had plants donated already.
“Anything we plant now is going to die over winter, so we might not replant straight away but we will tidy up.”
