Police Beat with Tom Hayes
Traralgon pursuit
POLICE are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage following a pursuit in Traralgon on the morning of Saturday, August 17.
A vehicle was seen allegedly driving erratically before stop sticks were successfully deployed on Shakespeare Street, Traralgon at about 9.20am.
It is alleged the car failed to stop and the pursuit was terminated before the car drove towards the Traralgon CBD.
The driver dumped the car in the intersection of Franklin Street and Hotham Street, and he was arrested nearby at about 9.45am.
No one was injured during the incident.
The Traralgon man was also charged with allegedly setting a vehicle on fire outside a Gabo Way address in Morwell at about 6.45am that morning (Saturday, August 17).
The 33-year-old man was charged with dangerous driving whilst being pursued, reckless conduct endangering serious injury, arson, and various driving offences.
He was remanded in custody to appear in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court on Monday, August 19.
Detectives would like to speak to any witnesses, or anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report at: crimestoppersvic.com.au
Fire investigation
LATROBE Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a fire in Traralgon on Wednesday, August 14.
Emergency services were called to the blaze at the Traralgon Library and Service Centre on Kay Street around 8pm that evening.
No one was reported to be inside the building at the time of the incident.
Investigations are ongoing into the cause of the fire, which is being treated as suspicious at this stage.
Anyone who witnesses the incident, has dashcam or CCTV footage, or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or make a report online at: crimestoppersvic.com.au
Petrol theft
POLICE are investigating the circumstances surrounding a petrol theft in Morwell on Friday, August 9.
It is believed the offence occurred at the Vestan Drive business at about 8.40pm; $70.45 of unleaded petrol was pumped and the driver of a BMW left without paying.
Investigators have released an image of a man who may be able to assist with enquiries, which can be found on the ‘Eyewatch – Latrobe Police Service Area’ Facebook page.
Anyone with information about the person and/or the car is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report at: crimestoppersvic.com.au
Multiple road incidents
LATROBE Valley roads continue to see crashes, with an uptake in incidents last week.
On Monday, August 12 around 1pm, a two-car incident on the intersection of Princes Drive and Mid Valley Road, Morwell had roads closed momentarily.
It is believed one of the two cars pulled out in front of the other (heading westbound) onto Princes Drive, causing the collision.
Emergency services including police, ambulance, and fire rescue all attended the scene.
Hours later on August 12, a vehicle driving on Grubb Avenue, Traralgon collided with a parked car.
Emergency services attended the scene between 4pm and 4.30pm.
That was the third incident for the day, with another vehicular incident occurring earlier that morning on Kay Street, Traralgon. Little information rose regarding this incident, however traffic was diverted to Grey Street at the time.
The following day (Tuesday, August 13) saw traffic blocked in both directions on Princes Drive, Morwell, near the Morwell Post Office.
It can be reported that a car and a motorcycle collided around 10.30am, before emergency services arrived at the scene.
Soon after in Traralgon, another two-car incident was flagged on Hotham Street around 11am.
On the early afternoon of Thursday, August 15, a car was required to be towed from the scene following a solo incident.
The incident occurred on the corner of the Princes Highway and Seymour Street, Traralgon at around 12pm.
