POLICE are on the hunt for power tool thieves, and asking owners to be wary of their belongings, following two robberies from sheds last week.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said that between 4pm on Thursday 28 January and 3.50pm on Saturday 30 January, a shed was broken into in Kidgell Street, Lilydale.
Det Sgt Barrow said there were no signs of force, and a brush cutter, an angle grinder, two cordless drills and other power tools were stolen, with a total value of $1500.
All of the tools were Ryobi branded.
Power tools were also stolen from a shed on Mathers Avenue in Launching Place, sometime between 4pm on Friday 29 January and 10.30am the next day.
Det Sgt Barrow said there were also no signs of force in this burglary, and that $2500 worth of power tools, including two lawn mowers, a pressure washer and two sanders, were stolen.
He said that power tool thefts had become “the new norm” in the area.
“They’re easy to take away, they’re easy to transport, they’re also easy to on-sell,” Det Sgt Barrow said.
He said that owners, whether professionals or not, should take down tool models and serial numbers, and store the details somewhere safe.
“We tend to recover tools, and find it difficult to trace them back to where they came from,” he said.
Anyone with information on either of the burglaries is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Multiple driving charges
A HEALESVILLE man will face a number of driving charges when he faces court later this year, after being arrested by police last month.
A 24-year-old Healesville man was arrested by Healesville police on 13 January, after evading police officers.
Sergeant Stewart Thomson said the man had false plates on his car, and faces “serious” driving offences, including driving in a dangerous manner, evading police, driving unlicensed and possessing fake registration plates.
He is expected to front Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 21 June.
Burglary, assault charges laid
A HEALESVILLE man will face court later this year, after being arrested for burglary and assault on Friday.
The 25-year-old Healesville man was arrested by Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) officers, in regards to a burglary and assault that occurred in Yellingbo in mid-2015.
The man was charged and bailed to appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 14 June.
Racecourse vandalism probed
POLICE are still investigating an act of vandalism at the Healesville Racecourse that occurred last month, leaving the owners with $5000 worth of damage.
On Saturday 23 January, unknown persons are believed to have broken into the racecourse grounds on Healesville-Kinglake Road.
From there, a track-side rail and a large horseshoe that read “Healesville Races” had been broken, with chairs and temporary fencing moved onto the track and bins upturned.
Healesville Police Sergeant Stewart Thomson has urged anyone who may have information on the incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Teen charged over flares
A LILYDALE teenager will face the Children’s Court after lighting a flare in the city on Australia Day.
On Tuesday 26 January, the 17-year-old Lilydale boy is believed to have discharged a flare while in a crowd on the steps of the Southern Cross railway station, before a soccer match between Melbourne Victory and Sydney City.
He was charged with conduct endangering persons, possession of a flare and throwing a flare, and was bailed to appear at a Children’s Court at a later date.
Acting Superintendent Peter Ward said flares were for emergency use only as they burned at more than 1000 degrees Celsius and could cause injury.
He said those who let off flares were risking other people’s lives and their own, and that there were heavy penalties for using one in a non-emergency situation.
“Charges like conduct endangering life, injury or persons are the types of charges that remain with you for life,” Acting Supt Ward said.
“These offences attract significant penalties, including terms of imprisonment, and can potentially restrict your employment prospects and overseas travel.”
