POLICE are calling on businesses to be alert to their security, after an attempted break in earlier this month in Healesville.
Healesville police Sergeant Stewart Thomson said that at 2.30am on Friday, 10 July, unknown offenders are believed to have tried to jemmy open the front door of the Healesville Motorcycle Centre.
“They’ve damaged it, but have been unable to enter the premises,” Sgt Thomson said.
He said the alarm at the business went off, causing the would-be burglars to flee.
Sgt Thomson said that the incident was a reminder for businesses to be very mindful of security, and to install alarms and CCTV cameras.
“There has been an increase in that sort of activity over the last six weeks,” he said, in regards to the attempted burglary.
“CCTV has become more affordable, as a real option for small businesses – and it’s certainly a great deterrent, but it’s also a great investigative tool.”
“If we can get clear pictures of people, then nine out of 10 times, they’re identified and processed.
He said many camera options wouldn’t “break the bank”, and that alarms were a good deterrent for burglars.
“Nothing beats a good, big, noisy alarm,” Sgt Thomson said.
“Unfortunately, we are susceptible (to robberies) because we are isolated, so it’s up to business owners and house owners to perform their own security audits and to try and do as much as they can.”
He urged residents to call triple-zero when seeing suspicious activity, and not to leave a message on the local station’s voicemail, in order to get an immediate response.
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity around the motorcycle shop is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police hunt arsonist
POLICE are hunting an arsonist who tried to burn down a tree in Warburton in broad daylight over the weekend, and have released a description of the alleged culprit.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Senior Constable Ian Brown said at 4pm on Sunday 19 July a man was spotted trying to light a fire under a large pine tree on Damons Road in Warburton.
“They collected a heap of sticks and bark and put it at the base of a large pine tree, and set it alight,” Det Sen Const Brown said.
He said flames from the fire reached about eight metres in the air, and that a couple passing through saw the male and spoke to him at the time.
“They spoke to him, and he said the tree was ‘not indigenous’ and a ‘pest’,” Det Sen Const Brown said.
The CFA was contacted at the time, and were able to save the tree, which has been scarred by the fire.
The man was described as aged between 30-40 years of age, Australian, with light hair sticking out underneath a black beanie, with a scabby or acne-scarred face and was about six feet tall.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to contact Yarra Ranges CIU on 9739 2300.
Lock it or lose it
HEALESVILLE police are again asking residents to keep their valuables locked away after an unlocked car – with the keys in it – was reported stolen.
Between 9.30pm on Saturday 11 July and 8.30am the next day, a white Holden Rodeo Tray was stolen from Camerons Road in Healesville.
Healesville Police Sergeant, Stewart Thomson, said the car was parked in a driveway, unlocked, with keys on the floor.
“It’s a reminder not to keep your keys in the car,” Sgt Thomson said.
He said residents should always keep their vehicles locked, even when parked in the driveway.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Alarm deters would-be burglar
AN ALARM may have deterred a would-be burglar from robbing a Wandin North property last week, and police are on the hunt for the culprit.
Between 3am and 3.55am on Tuesday 14 July, a window was smashed at a business property on Union Road in Wandin North.
The smashed window activated an alarm at the Yarra Valley Auctions property.
Police are searching for the window-smasher, and have asked anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Self-inflicted
POLICE have updated the status of a man believed to have been stabbed in Lilydale last week, and have said his wounds were found to be self-inflicted.
Yarra Ranges CIU Detective Sergeant Mark Smithwick said that at 2.30pm on Tuesday 14 July, motorists reported that a man was in Alexandra Road in Lilydale with reported stab wounds.
Det Sgt Smithwick said the man was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
He said police have since established the wound was a self-inflicted injury.
Anyone who may be distressed about this report, is having thoughts about self-harm or knows anyone who is can contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.
Ahoy, mateys
KNOW anyone who suddenly has an unexplained new boat?
Police are appealing for help from the public after a boat and trailer were stolen from Britannia Way, Lilydale, last week.
Sometime between Tuesday 14 and Thursday 16 July, unknown persons stole a Quintrex Busta aluminium open-cab boat and its trailer from the Britannia Way property.
The boat is valued at about $9000, and anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Burglary charge
A LILYDALE man will face court after being arrested for a burglary in Mooroolbark earlier this month.
On Friday 10 July, police arrested a 37-year-old Lilydale man for a burglary that occurred on 17 April in Russell Avenue in Mooroolbark.
The man will face Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 20 August.
Same-day service
A HAMPTON Park man will front court later in the year after being arrested for a burglary in Lilydale on the same day the crime took place.
At 1.30am on Thursday 16 July, a 32-year-old Hampton Park man was arrested in regards to a burglary at a Lilydale business on the same day.
The man will appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 18 November.
