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Gianni Francis is a journalist for Leader and the Herald Sun based in Bendigo covering courts, crime, council and community.

Gianni Francis

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East

Victoria Police have charged a 33-year-old man for the alleged theft of 'Garry the Gorilla'. Picture: Victoria Police

Revealed: Most bizarre items stolen in 2024

Victoria’s thieves have stolen some truly bizarre items this year. From gorilla statues to live reptiles to McDonalds merchandise, here is a list of all the strangest stolen items this year.

Bendigo

The evil Bendigo sex predators exposed in 2024

Teachers, local business owners and family men — 10 of the worst sex predators hiding in the Bendigo community have been exposed. See the list.

PicturesBendigo

Bendigo Carols by Candlelight 2024 thumbnail. Picture: Gianni Francis.

Bendigo Carols by Candlelight 2024 picture gallery

Families flocked to the 2024 Bendigo Carols by Candlelight, enjoying a beautiful evening in Rosalind Park. See all the pictures.

Bendigo

James Pualic, 44, pleaded guilty to the murder of 46-year-old Analyn Logee Osias. Picture: Supplied.

‘Cruel, vicious and entirely merciless’: Mum’s killer slammed

A violent thug who stabbed a beloved Bendigo mum to death in front of her terrified daughter after she ended their relationship created a “ripple effect” of fear in the community.

South East

The best real estate agents of 2024 on the Mornington Peninsula have been revealed. ART

Mornington Peninsula’s best real estate agents revealed

Local knowledge and customer service skills are the key to success in the Mornington Peninsula’s property market.

Bendigo

Six men charged as Bendigo police bust alleged drug ring

Six men have been charged after Bendigo police allegedly dismantled a “sophisticated” $500,000 organised crime drug ring.

Bendigo

Echuca dad accused of meth dealing allegedly linked to bikies

An Echuca dad accused of dealing drugs out of his family home has been refused bail, again, after police allegedly revealed “possible” OMCG bikie links.

Goulburn Valley

Josh Eddy, 29, faced Shepparton Magistrate’s Court on a string of drug charges.Police allege Josh was the “ringleader” of the drug operation and his family were “secondary members”.

Cobram family exposed in Mongols cocaine trafficking ‘syndicate’

A Cobram businessman, who was the “apex” of a Mongols bikie cocaine trafficking syndicate based out the northern Victorian town, employed his family members to deal drugs across the Goulburn Valley.

South East

Somerville Highway Patrol are investigating a single vehicle crash in Somerville on Tuesday, 17 December. Picture: Google Maps.

Elderly woman crashes into Peninsula childcare centre

An elderly woman has crashed her car into a Mornington Peninsula childcare centre.

Goulburn Valley

Police are investigating after two men were bashed outside of a Wangaratta Primary School on White St. Picture: Google Maps.

Alleged gang bashing near Wangaratta primary school

Two men have been hospitalised near a Wangaratta primary school after allegedly being savagely gang bashed twice.

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/journalists/gianni-francis