By Oliver Winn
Police made a “koality arrest” when responding to a burglary in progress in Yarra Junction last night.
The resident’s barking dog notified her of someone trying to break into her Peppercorn Place address, so she called triple zero and members from the Mooroolbark Police responded to the job, ready to catch the fugitive.
Arriving on the scene, the police searched the perimeter for any signs of a break-in and were lead to the backdoor.
But instead of a balaclava-donning burglar, police found a furry koala on the dog’s bed, who the police suspect to be named Blinky Bill.
Mooroolbark Senior Sergeant Melanie Woods said the resident was very relieved that the koala was cooperating and moving on, albeit quite slowly as it climbed over the fence.
“They [police] asked the owner if they owned a pet koala and they said they didn’t and then they have been able to essentially identify the koala as being the offender.”
“But hopefully it doesn’t re-offend.”
The marsupial was released without charge, though it’s unknown if Coco the dog wishes to issue a formal complaint.
