A GRUYERE man has been remanded in custody to face court next week, after being arrested in a police raid in Mooroolbark last month.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said at 6.30am on Thursday 29 October, police executed a search warrant at a Mooroolbark property.
He said a “quantity’ of methamphetamine (ICE) was recovered at the property, and three people were arrested.
A 38-year-old Gruyere man was arrested and remanded in custody. He appeared at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on Friday 6 November, and was remanded to appear again on 18 November.
The man is charged with possessing a drug of dependence, and property offences.
A 30-year-old Mooroolbark woman was charged with trafficking a drug of dependence and property offences, and was bailed to appear in court at a later date.
A 21-year-old man of no fixed place of abode was arrested on warrants.
Spate of cigarette thefts
POLICE are investigating a link between a spate of cigarette thefts around the Yarra Valley and a break-in at Coldstream IGA last week, and are calling on witnesses to come forward.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said between 8pm on Wednesday 4 November and 7.55am the following day, unknown people forced open a rear roller door at the supermarket, off Killara Road.
Det Sgt Barrow said cash and $20,000 worth of cigarettes were stolen in the incident.
He said police were investigating whether the theft was linked to a number of recent cigarette burglaries from businesses across the Yarra Valley.
On 28 June, cigarettes were stolen from the Yarra Glen IGA, and on 15 June, four businesses across the Yarra Valley were broken into.
These burglaries followed others between March and April, where tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of cigarettes were stolen from service stations in Yarra Glen, Tecoma, Lilydale, Kilsyth and Eltham North.
“There is a possibility that it’s linked,” Det Sgt Barrow said.
“We’re looking into that at the moment.”
Anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity or vehicles near the supermarket overnight on Wednesday is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report on www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Big damage, small loot
A VACUUM cleaner and a microwave have been stolen from a Lilydale property, in a strange burglary last month.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said that between 4pm on 23 October and 11.50am on 27 October, unknown persons smashed a rear kitchen window at a Trafalgar Crescent property in Lilydale.
“They’ve caused a bit of damage inside the house, and they’ve stolen a Samsung microwave oven and a Dyson vacuum cleaner,” he said.
Det Sgt Barrow said police were confused about the motive of the burglars.
“None of this makes any sense,” he said.
“Why would you go through all of that effort to steal a vacuum cleaner and a microwave?
“You really couldn’t sell them for very much.”
He said the combined value of the items was $500, and that police were appealing for anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report on www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Failed burglary bid probed
POLICE are calling for witnesses after an attempted burglary at the Seville Football Ground last week.
Between 8.50am and 9.25am on Monday 2 November, unknown persons jemmied open a sliding window at the football ground’s pavilion on Monbulk-Seville Road.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said the would-be burglars had no time to steal anything, as they triggered an alarm inside and fled the scene.
“Security arrived, but they had gone,” he said.
Nothing was stolen in the incident.
Anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity, including people or vehicles at the football club, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report on www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Heavy equipment heist
POLICE are on the hunt for thieves who made off with two tractors and a generator from a Yellingbo property last month.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said that between 2pm on 22 October and 6pm on 29 October, unknown persons broke into a shed on a Beenak Road, Yellingbo, property.
Det Sgt Barrow said a padlock was cut from the shed, where two tractors were then stolen.
One was a blue New Holland Boomer tractor, and the other was an orange Daedong tractor, both with buckets on the front.
Combined with a 7KPA generator, the stolen items are worth $50,000, and Det Sgt Barrow said a large vehicle, such as a truck, may have been used in the burglary.
“Based on the size of the items, it’s likely a large vehicle would have been used.”
“If anybody saw anybody around there that was suspicious, let us know.”
The property was not occupied at the time of the burglary.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report on www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
