By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

THREE men were arrested following a slew of burglaries and attempted burglaries in Moe and Newborough on Monday, February 16.

One of the men was revealed to have been charged with 30 offences.

A total of 11 incidents took place between 12.10am and 2pm, terrifying the community to begin the new week.

It began when two offenders stole power tools from a utility vehicle parked outside of a property on Alcott Drive, Newborough before one of the men left with a vehicle.

Five minutes later, at around 12.15am, an offender allegedly armed with a machete attempted to enter a property on Freeman Circuit.

The same man then stood up someone at a residence on Caspian Court just before 11am, allegedly slashing a fly screen window and then demanding money from the male victim, but left empty handed.

The offender then allegedly attempted to steal a vehicle on Hayes Road at 1.15am, setting off inside only for the car to halt in the middle of the street.

He allegedly pinched a bank card when leaving the car at the scene, and officers discovered a machete nearby upon their arrival.

Those incidents all took place at the Thompsons Rd, Newborough residential estate, which will eventually make up part of the developing Lake Narracan precinct.

Offenders then attended a property on Thompsons Rd, allegedly stealing a ride on lawn mower and then unsuccessfully attempting to steal another vehicle.

The lawn mower was allegedly used to ram the door of a licensed premises on Waterloo Road, Moe with tools and alcohol looted from the business.

The lawn mower was then dumped at the scene, before an all-terrain vehicle was allegedly stolen, which they then fled in.

One offender then attended a property on Della Torre Rd, allegedly stealing a white Ford Laser.

Tools were also allegedly stolen from a shed.

The stolen Ford Laser was then seen at roughly 10.55am doing burnouts outside of a King Street property in Moe, in which the male occupant of the house and the driver were involved in an altercation.

The offender allegedly assaulted the man, before getting back in the vehicle and deliberately driving into a parked Holden Equinox before fleeing the scene.

The victim was not injured however, there was significant damage sustained to the Holden.

Police then located the Ford on Luke Ct a short while later, but the driver allegedly sped off.

The stolen vehicle was then involved in an alleged petrol drive-off at the Saviges Road Fast & Ezy service station, before being dumped on Giggs Ct.

One offender then stole an Izuzu truck from a worksite on Della Torre Rd before being located by a citizen outside a property on King St at around 12.30am on Tuesday, February 17.

Police then arrived to the residence and located a 23-year-old Newborough man inside, subsequently arresting them.

That individual has been charged with;

  • Four counts of burglary;
  • Five counts of theft;
  • Two counts of theft from a motor vehicle;
  • Three counts of theft of a motor vehicle;
  • Attempted aggravated burglary;
  • Two counts of attempted theft of a motor vehicle;
  • Three counts of criminal damage;
  • Careless driving;
  • Improper use of a motor vehicle;
  • Unlawful assault.

The Newborough man was remanded to appear at Latrobes Magistrates’ Court on June 15.

A 32-year-old man and a 26-year-old man, both from Moe, were then arrested following the alleged incidents.

Each were released and are expected to be charged on summons.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed these incidents, with footage or with information, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a anonymous report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

 

ELSEWHERE, Detectives have arrested a 29-year-old Morwell man following a series of incidents recently.

As reported by the Express last week, the alleged was involved in a stabbing, attempted carjacking, and another altercation which injured a dog, all of which occurred over the course of half an hour on Wednesday, February 11.

The stabbing victim, a 39-year-old Morwell man, was taken to hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

All three encounters took place less than two kilometres a part from one another.

The offender fled the scene after the final incident on Peter Street.

After an extensive search of the area, the man was discovered in the roof of a residential flat on Dell Circuit, Morwell the following day, on Thursday, February 12.

He was allegedly found to be armed with a knife, and assaulted multiple police officer whilst resisting arrest.

The officers sustained minor injuries and a taser was deployed to detain the offender before he was taken to hospital under police guard.

The Morwell man was remanded to appear at Latrobe Magistrates’ Court on May 6, after being charged with;

  • Intentionally causing serious injury;
  • Cause pain/suffering to animal – cruelty;
  • attempted carjacking;
  • attempted robbery;
  • attempted aggravated burglary;
  • criminal damage.