In brief
A COBURG man has lost a motorbike – and possibly a friendship – after being caught speeding through Healesville over the weekend.
The 27-year-old man drove past police near the Maroondah Dam on Sunday 26 October, about 3.30pm, travelling at 80km/h in a 60km/h zone.
He then accelerated to 105km/h.
Yarra Ranges Highway Patrol Leading Senior Constable Aidan Williams pulled the rider over, where it was discovered that the man’s licence was suspended.
“I told him the bike would be impounded, and he wasn’t too thrilled about it,” Leading Sen Const Williams said.
“He told me to ‘get f***ed’.”
The motorbike, which belonged to the rider’s friend, was impounded for 30 days and will cost $1280 to retrieve – the man will appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court in March.
Leading Sen Const Williams said the man faces a minimum of six months off the road for the speeding offence, and that drivers should be wary when lending vehicles to friends.
“If you’re borrowing a mate’s bike, one thing people should ask their friends now is ‘do you have a current licence’,” he said.
“You need to ask if you can trust them with your car or bike, and can you be without your car or bike for 30 days?”
Leading Sen Const Williams said the highway patrol had impounded about five vehicles in recent weeks.
Farming theft
POLICE are calling for information after $20,000 worth of farm machinery was stolen from a property in TarraWarra.
Healesville police Sergeant Stewart Thomson said that an All-Terrain-Vehicle (ATV) and other farm machinery were stolen from a farm property between 11pm on Sunday 19 October and 5am the next day.
The total cost of the machinery is estimated to be around $20,000.
Sgt Thomson said the machinery was heavy, and a trailer or utility would have been needed to load it.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Healesville police on 5962 4422, Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000, or to make a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Early morning mishap
A 19-YEAR-OLD Healesville man is co-operating with police after crashing into a guard rail along the Maroondah Highway earlier this month.
Healesville police Sergeant Stewart Thomson told the Mail the man was turning right from Maddens Lane onto the highway at 4am on Friday 17 October, when he lost control of his car.
He hit the guard rail opposite Maddens Lane and received minor injuries.
Sgt Thomson said the man was assisting police with their inquiries.
