Police Beat with Katrina Brandon
Home invasion
POLICE arrested an 18-year-old man after a police officer and elderly woman were injured last Wednesday (September 18).
The arrest follows a home invasion at a residence on Wallace Court, Traralgon about 2.50am last Wednesday.
It’s alleged two offenders woke the female occupant and assaulted her before stealing her bank card and fleeing in her Mazda 3.
The two offenders were spotted with the Mazda 3 by police at a service station on Moore Street, Moe about 6.10am.
Officers attempted to block-in the vehicle before the offending driver allegedly drove at police and subsequently ran over an officer’s foot.
During the course of the incident, a police officer discharged his firearm before the vehicle fled the scene.
The male detective Senior constable sustained an injury to his foot and was taken to hospital.
The 78-year-old Traralgon woman assaulted during the aggravated home invasion was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
A man was arrested at a pine plantation after fleeing from police on Traralgon West Road just before 7.30am.
The man was not injured, and is expected to be interviewed by detectives. The second offender remains outstanding and investigations are ongoing.
As per standard procedure, Professional Standards Command will oversee the investigation due to a police firearm being discharged.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Recreation Reserve break-in
TRARALGON Football-Netball Club was broken into overnight on Thursday, September 12.
This was the fourth time the club has been broken into this season. The club estimates about $8000 worth of equipment was stolen.
“This repeated targeting is truly demoralising for everyone involved in the club,” the Maroons posted on social media.
“If you have any information that could assist the police, please contact them immediately. We need your help to put an end to this.”
Anyone with information or who witnessed any of the incidents is urged to contact Traralgon Police on (03) 5172 2700.
Fire brigade theft
MARYVALE Fire Brigade’s shipping container and storage shed was broken into on Monday, September 16.
Thieves allegedly stole brigade running equipment, a trailer, a reel and hydrants.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Man flown to hospital
A MAN in his 60s was flown to the Alfred Hospital with lower body injuries after his leg was trapped under a four-wheel drive vehicle.
Emergency services were called to the scene at the Moe Rifle Range on Mountain Glen Drive just before 2pm on Tuesday, September 17.
Information sought
MOE Police are seeking assistance from anyone who may have information relating to the below incident.
Between 6pm on Monday, August 26 and 3am on Tuesday, August 27, it is alleged two forestry vehicles were broken into on Stretton’s Track, near Quarry Road Yallourn North.
Offender/s allegedly removed a ‘PONSSE’ toolbox containing around $1000 worth of assorted ‘STAHL WILLE’ tools.
A padlock was also allegedly cut to a fuel tank and around 150 litres of diesel valued at $300 was stolen from the tank.
Offender/s also allegedly stole a battery worth $400 by using bolt cutters to open a battery compartment to one of the vehicles.
If you witnessed this or have any information, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at: crimestoppersvic.com.au
Quote Incident Number: 240338301
Operation arrests made
A LATROBE Valley youth was arrested in Wonthaggi last Thursday (September 19) after he allegedly helped three South Gippsland youth in a grand theft auto incident. A large scale police operation arrested the four offenders around 11am.
According to the South Gippsland Sentinel Times report, the incident is believed to have started with the theft of two cars in the Melbourne metropolitan area – an Alfa Romeo stolen from the Yarraville area two days ago, and a Mercedes stolen from Newport overnight on Wednesday, September 18.
Police believe the cars and their occupants were involved in a series of crimes, including aggravated burglaries, thefts of property and the theft of petrol in the metro area before they were spotted travelling in convoy in the Narre Warren area on Thursday morning before 9am.
Police attempted to intercept the vehicles, but the drivers failed to pull over and due to the risks involved, police disengaged.
The Police Airwing was deployed and located both vehicles in the Pakenham area and followed them.
The cars split up, with the Alfa headed towards Korumburra on the South Gippsland Highway before doing a u-turn on the west side of Korumburra and heading back towards Melbourne.
The four offenders, all of them male, were interviewed by Casey Criminal Investigation Unit Police at the Wonthaggi Police Station last Thursday afternoon.
Two of the alleged offenders have been described as being 15-years- of-age, with two 14-year-olds, three of whom are from the local South Gippsland area and one from the Latrobe Valley.
It is likely that at least some of the alleged offenders are connected with a series of aggravated burglaries and thefts of cars and property in the local area over recent months.
