FOUR Healesville youths have been charged on summons in relation to a break in and burglary at a local winery earlier this month.
The youths, aged between 15 and 17, have been charged with breaking into the Giant Steps winery on Maroondah Highway, Healesville.
Police allege the youths forced entry to the premises on Thursday, 3 November and stole $500 worth of glassware. One of the young offenders has also been charged with criminal damage at the same location on 24 April this year.
Police allege the youth damaged $500 worth of building supplies and vandalised the winery construction site.
Sergeant Tony Van Gorp from Healesville police said interviews with the young people revealed a disturbing trend.
Bags stolen
HEALESVILLE police have issued a warning for people to be vigilant after a number of handbag thefts in the town.
In particular, police are concerned by the number of bags and purses being stolen in public places.
About 8.20pm on Monday, 14 November a handbag was stolen from the front passenger seat of a car.
The female driver parked the car at the rear of her house, ran inside leaving the car unlocked, and when she returned minutes later the bag was gone.
Between 10am and 11am on Saturday, 12 November a bag was stolen from the toilet block at Healesville Walk Shopping Centre.
A female shopper used the disabled toilets and left her handbag behind.
When she returned within 30 minutes the bag had been taken. Sergeant Tony Van Gorp from Healesville police said there was an increase in people not properly securing their belongings.
“People are leaving purses and bags exposed and giving thieves easy picking,” he said.
“When purses, bags, mobile phone and SIM cards are stolen it causes a great deal of distress to victims.”
