Police Beat with Tom Hayes
Morwell stabbing
POLICE are investigating a stabbing in Morwell on Wednesday, February 26.
It is believed a physical altercation occurred between two men on Commercial Road just after 4pm.
During the altercation, a 38-year-old Moe man sustained a stab wound. He was taken to hospital with serious injuries and remains in a critical condition.
The attacker, a 23-year-old Morwell male fled the scene on foot and was arrested overnight.
He was charged with recklessly causing injury, affray, carrying a controlled weapon, and using a controlled weapon. He was bailed to appeared in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court in May.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or submit a confidential report at: crimestoppers.com.au
Boys connected to car theft
A 13-year-old boy from Moe handed himself into police after an allegedly stolen car was involved in a collision in Warragul.
Police report the collision occurred on February 12 at 8.45am involving a grey Ford Ranger which was reportedly stolen the night before.
Police allege three boys attempted to flee after the collision, with a 13-year-old Warragul boy apprehended by a bystander. He was taken to Warragul Police Station to be interviewed.
The 13-year-old Moe boy later handed himself into the station.
Police are seeking a 15-year-old Trafalgar boy to assist with further investigations.
Preventing car theft
POLICE have issued an urgent warning to vehicle owners, as intelligence reveals that tech savvy thieves are behind a surge in car thefts across the state.
Increasing numbers of cars are being stolen – more than 70 per cent from residential streets, driveways, and other community locations – with no associated burglary, robbery, or carjacking.
This trend has coincided with third party electronic devices, which are capable of programming or mimicking keys, becoming increasingly available for purchase. Once inside a vehicle, this device can be plugged into the cars on board diagnostic port to override the security system and start the engine.
Police intelligence suggests certain makes and models with electronic push start technology are being targeted, given no ignition key is required. Owners of these vehicles are urged to look at a range of preventative measures to help deter thieves, including an on-board diagnostic port lock which prevents an offender connecting a reprogramming device to your vehicle. These locks are highly affordable and self-installable.
Police urge the community to take these simple steps to stop opportunistic thieves in their tracks:
-Lock your vehicle, even when parked at home;
-Park your vehicle off the street if possible;
-Remove items such as keys and garage fobs, and;
-Keep valuables out of sight, or out of the vehicle entirely.
Read more information about addition vehicle security measures at: police.vic.gov.au/preventing-motor-vehicle-theft
Vandalism at Ronald Reserve
AN act of vandalism took place at Ronald Reserve throughout the night of Thursday, February 27.
This has left the AFL change room pavilion and the shared multi-use pavilion with significant damage, with the bill estimated to exceed $10,000.
Victoria Police have been on site investigating with Latrobe City Council officers to commence the extensive clean-up. As the clean-up progresses, there will be no access to the multi-use pavilion to ensure community safety.
This isn’t the first time this pavilion has been targeted. Over the past five years, it has been broken into and vandalised around five times, with this being the most serious incident to date.
Council is now exploring solutions to prevent future break-ins, including the installation of CCTV and building shutters/gates.
Anyone who has any information relating to this incident is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
