A MAN is expected to face charges after attempting to steal four segways from Rochford Winery in August – only to get bogged on the way out.
At 5.30pm on Sunday 16 August, a man is believed to have stolen the vehicles, valued at $30,000 from a shed at the Coldstream winery.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said the burglary was bungled when the vehicle used for the robbery became bogged on the way out.
“Subsequently, we identified an offender, and that person has been interviewed and a brief of evidence is being prepared,” he said.
Det Sgt Barrow said no charges had yet been laid against the man, a 29-year-old of no fixed place of abode.
The segways were recovered from the car.
Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Railway battery, fuel stolen
POLICE are appealing for witnesses, after a battery and fuel were stolen from the Yarra Valley Railway last week.
Between Monday 7 and Friday 11 September, unknown persons are believed to have cut padlocks to a paddock on Tarrawarra Road in Yarra Glen, near the Tarrawarra railway station.
Leading Senior Constable Tim Stewart said a battery and diesel fuel were stolen from a backhoe on the property, worth about $300.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Tarrawarra tunnel tagged
HEALESVILLE police are searching for information after the Tarrawarra tunnel along the Yarra Valley Railway line was graffitied last week.
Between Sunday 6 September and Sunday 13 September, unknown persons are believed to have sprayed graffiti on the inside of the tunnel along the railway line.
Healesville police Leading Senior Constable Wayne Phillips said the graffiti was found on Sunday, and had yet to be removed.
He said police believed the vandals walked along the railway line to the tunnel, to spray the graffiti.
Anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Healesville police on 5962 4422.
Secondary college vandalised
POLICE are searching for witnesses after a group of people broke into the Upper Yarra Secondary College campus last weekend.
At 8.30pm on Saturday 5 September, police believe a group of men and women entered the Little Yarra Road campus in Yarra Junction and sprayed graffiti on the exterior of some of the buildings.
“They then broke in via the roof and caused damage inside,” Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said.
Nothing was reported stolen in the incident.
Anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Man faces multiple charges
A CROYDON man will face court later this month, after breaking into a council compound in Lilydale by driving through the gates.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said between 5pm on Monday 7 September and 6.20am the next morning, the 28-year-old man was believed to have broken into an Industrial Park Drive address in Lilydale.
“Offenders broke into shipping containers and several vehicles,” Det Sgt Barrow said.
Shortly after the break-in, Det Sgt Barrow said the man stole an Isuzu tip truck and crashed it through the boom gates at a Yarra Ranges Council compound in Nelson Road, Lilydale.
The Croydon man was arrested nearby, and police have charged him with theft of a motor car and going equipped to steal, among other offences.
The truck was recovered by police in Oates Crescent in Lilydale.
He has been remanded, and will appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 28 September.
