Manningham Street Watch: Police hunt failed Templestowe robbers

Six men abandoned a planned robbery of a Templestowe house when they realised people were home, fleeing in a stolen Hyundai.

The Templestowe burglary attempt was foiled when the bandits realised people were home. Stock image

Six men fled the scene after bashing down the front door of a Templestowe home and storming inside only to be confronted by an elderly woman and a teenage boy in the foyer.

The men were heard knocking on the Apple Blossom Court door for about two minutes from 3.15pm on March 27.

The bandits fled in a white Hyundai and a black BMW when they realised people were home.

It is believed the Hyundai was nicked in the same neighbourhood earlier that day.

Nunawading Sergeant Simon Webb said nothing was stolen from the house and the occupants were not injured.

He said householders who were suspicious of a knock on the door were advised to make noise.

“Let them know you’re there,” he said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

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In other Street Watch news:

A carelessly discarded butt caused the fire. Stock image

DONCASTER

A carelessly discarded cigarette butt caused a fire outside a Doncaster business on March 29. The butt was dropped by an unknown staff member in a garden area set aside for smokers from an office block near the intersection of Doncaster Rd and Clay Drive about 4.15pm. It’s believed the butt ignited bark mulch with strong winds spreading the flames to nearby bushes. Firefighters were called to extinguish the flames. The building had to be evacuated but there were no injuries nor damage to property. Nunawading Sgt Simon Webb said the smoking area would be reviewed.

The driver told police he swerved to avoid an animal for fear activists would “get him”.

TEMPLESTOWE

A driver who told police he swerved to avoid an animal — before smashing into a fence in Templestowe — because he was worried animal activists would “get him” if he hit the creature later tested positive to methamphetamines, according to Nunawading highway patrol Sergeant Paul Egan. The 22-year-old crashed his Commodore in Lempriere Close at 6am on April 1. Sgt Egan said the Craigieburn man would face court on charges of careless and drug driving.

County Court: Norlane hoon Jordan Kenyon jailed after crime spree

WARRANDYTE SOUTH

A 21-year-old who lost control of his car at 1am on a wet road in Warrandyte South had a lucky escape but suffered a hit to his bank balance. The Bayswater man was fined after crashing his Subaru Impreza in Ringwood-Warrandyte Rd on March 31. His car span out of control on a bend, crossing the centre lines, and smashing into a Ford Falcon, before coming to rest against a barrier. He was taken to Maroondah Hospital for a check-up. The other driver, a 35-year-old man from Mt Cottrell, was not injured. Sgt Simon Webb said the Bayswater man was fined for careless driving.

MANNINGHAM

Firefighters are urging Victorians to regularly check their smoke alarms are in working order. The Metropolitan Fire Brigade and Country Fire Authority are concerned some households might be equipped with dodgy alarms, putting the occupants at risk in the event of a fire. The end of daylight savings is a great reminder to check the battery and check if the unit is more than 10 years old.