Full moon madness

By Kath Gannaway
A BRAWL in the early hours of Sunday morning in Healesville revealed the Hyde side of what Healesville Police Sergeant Wayne Williams has labelled the “Jekyll and Hyde personality” of Healesville.
He said the many community events on Saturday, held in perfect weather, saw the town packed with local families and tourists.
“The town really came to life and showed why so many locals are proud to call Healesville their home,” Sgt Williams said.
“Everyone was having a great time, then, from about 9pm the town took on a different look as intoxicated idiots started to emerge.”
He said in just a few hours police handed out multiple fines for urinating in public, drinking alcohol in a prohibited area, riding without helmets and one fine to a 55-year-old Healesville woman for being drunk in public.
A brawl broke out just after 1am when security guards who had ejected an 18-year-old Wandin North man from a licensed premises were confronted by the man and friends who had joined him on the street.
“Some of the males confronted police who had been called in and were arrested,” Sgt Williams said.
He said it took a number of police units to clear the area with two officers injured in the process.
The Wandin North man was charged with offences including failing to leave licensed premises, behaving in a riotous manner and resisting arrest. He will appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 20 May.
A 23-year-old Healesville man was also charged with similar offences as well as theft and being in possession of amphetamines. He will go to court on 15 May.
An 18-year-old man was fined $478 for trying to break shop windows.
Police are reviewing what they say is excellent quality security footage which will identify others involved in the brawl.
“I have a very clear message to the males involved in this incident,” Sgt Williams told the Mail.
“Do the smart thing, call the police station (5962 4422) and make an appointment to come in and sort this matter out,” he said.
He said some people had done nothing wrong and were trying to protect their mates, but that others had some explaining to do.
“These people all have a choice, they can come in at a mutually convenient time to speak to police, or once we identify them, I will just turn up at their home or place of work and arrest them at a time that suits me,” he said.