Police Beat with Tom Hayes
Attempted ATM theft
LATROBE Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating an attempted theft of an ATM in Churchill last Thursday (February 20).
It’s alleged two offenders parked a black Toyota Hilux at the entry to a shopping centre arcade, at the intersection of Monash Way and Marina Drive at about 5.40am.
The man and his accomplice are then alleged to have entered the arcade in possession of ratchet straps, chainsaws, crowbars, and other implements, before attaching the tow straps to an ATM inside.
Officers were quick to respond, with both offenders fleeing the scene.
A 21-year-old man from Mulgrave was arrested on Phillip Parade following a brief foot pursuit and is awaiting interview. The second male is still outstanding.
The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV, dashcam footage, or any information that could assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report online at: crimestoppersvic.com.au
Cracking down on family violence
VICTORIA Police is making a record number of family violence arrests, with new data showing one perpetrator is apprehended every 17 minutes.
Frontline police and specialised teams – including Family Violence Investigation Units and the Family Violence Command Taskforce – are continuing to proactively target and arrest offenders to keep victim-survivors safe.
The vast majority of offenders, some of the worst in the state, are being apprehended for violently assaulting their partners or former partners and children, stalking and making threats to kill.
They’re also being arrested for actively avoiding police detection, outstanding warrants and unserved or breaching family violence intervention orders.
Crime Statistics Agency figures show 30,853 family violence offenders were either arrested or summonsed to court in the year to September 2024. It equates to an average of 84 arrests or summons to court each day.
That’s one person arrested or brought before the courts for family violence offending every 17 minutes. It’s the highest number of arrests police have made for family violence since recording began in 2005.
A number of arrests for family violence crimes in the past year have been supported by Victoria Police’s specialist units including the Public Order Response Team, VIPER Taskforce and Intelligence and Covert Support Command Proactive Targeting Teams.
Victoria Police is committed to responding to all forms of family violence, keeping victim-survivors safe and holding perpetrators to account.
If you or someone close to you discloses they are a victim of family violence, encourage them to contact police or a specialist support service.
Police not only provide safety for victims who make a report, they also refer them to support services, so they get the assistance they need.
Victoria Police works closely with specialist family violence support services, including Safe Steps and No to Violence.
Support for those affected by family violence is available 24 hours a day through Safe Steps by calling 1800 015 188 or emailing safesteps@safesteps.org.au. Safe Steps also has Web Chat available on weekdays from 9am to midnight, which can be accessed by visiting: safesteps.org.au/chat
If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s behaviour – No to Violence runs a Men’s Referral Service which helps men who use violence to change their behaviour and can be contacted on 1300 766 491.
In an emergency call Triple Zero (000). If you can’t get to a phone, ask someone else to do it for you.
For more information on what Victoria Police is doing to protect victim-survivors of family violence, visit: police.vic.gov.au/family-violence
