By JESSE GRAHAM
POLICE are hunting a grinchy burglar who broke into the Dixons Creek Fire Station on Christmas Day and made off with the brigade’s projector.
At around 12.10 am on 25 December, someone broke into the station by forcing open the door on the new extension to the building.
They made their way into the Melba Highway station and took an NEC projector worth around $1000.
Dixons Creek CFA Captain Wayne Morrow said the projector, while insured, was bought with funds raised by the brigade and money donated by the community.
He said he was disappointed that someone would steal from the brigade, let alone steal from them on Christmas day.
“All that equipment the brigade worked hard to earn – it’s brigade equipment, not CFA equipment,” he said.
“It’s a very low act.
“They tried to lift the TV, but didn’t get that. Fortunately, they didn’t take anything else.”
Capt Morrow said the projector was used for training purposes at the station, and that the thief was likely disturbed by the security alarm before more items could be taken.
The brigade posted about the robbery on Facebook on 26 December and the post was shared by 265 people, while others commented in support of the CFA – and in condemnation of the robber.
“As you know our volunteers work hard to protect our community, and it is heart-breaking this has happened,” the post read.
“To steal from volunteers who risk their own lives daily to help others is disgusting,” commented one person.
The break-in coincided with another robbery at Homewood’s CFA station, where a man is believed to have broken in and stolen two chainsaws, a water pump and keys to a CFA vehicle, among other items.
Police believe the man broke into the station three times between 23 and 26 December.
Capt Morrow described the behaviour of breaking into CFA stations as “pretty ordinary”, and asked anyone who might have seen suspicious behaviour to contact police.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Mark Smithwick said that anyone who saw suspicious activity at the station between 4pm on 24 December and 9am on Christmas Day should contact police.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Lilydale CIU on 9739 2300, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
