East and outer east crime: theft, speeding, men charged for road deaths

Five people were set upon by a thief as they walked through Clayton. The details and other stories are in this eastern crime wrap — see what’s happened in your area.

People were robbed as they walked the streets of Clayton.

C LAYTON

Five pedestrians were preyed upon and either robbed or almost robbed in Clayton on the evening of Monday, November 18.

Police believe the same male offender is behind the five separate incidents, which began about 7.20pm on Kanooka Grove.

Sergeant Simon Webb said the first victim was walking along Kanooka Grove when they were grabbed from behind and the offender tried to steal their phone.

Police are searching for a man who is believed to have robbed or attempted to rob people.

The victim pushed the man off, who then ran towards a silver Kia SUV.

Shortly afterwards a man walking nearby on Wright St was assaulted by a man, who stole his phone.

The same thing happened to a man walking on Bayview Ave, before a fourth victim, who was playing tennis at a court on Business Drive, had his bag containing his wallet and keys stolen. Sgt Webb said his Holden Astra was later stolen from the scene.

The fifth victim was walking along Marshall Ave when a man unsuccessfully tried to steal his phone.

Police are calling for anyone with information about the offender, including the fifth victim, to contact Crime Stoppers.

Sgt Webb said no one was hurt in the series of brazen offending.

VERMONT SOUTH

A Forest Hill man held a screwdriver to the throat of a Bunnings staff member after they tried to apprehend him for stealing from the Vermont South store. The 29-year-old left the Burwood Highway store without paying for his trolley of items about 10pm on Sunday, November 17, Sergeant Simon Webb said. After he threatened the staff member, he was confronted by police as he was walking a short way away from the store. Sgt Webb said the man tried to fight police officers who were forced to use capsicum spray several times before he was arrested. He is expected to be charged with armed robbery and theft.

COLDSTREAM

A Coldstream man has been charged over the driveway death of a woman struck by a car on February 17. The man, 45, has been charged with dangerous driving causing death after striking the woman, 45, outside her home. She sustained critical head injuries and died in hospital more than a month later. The man has been bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court tomorrow.

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WARBURTON EAST

A man riding a Ducati motorcycle was caught doing twice the speed limit in Warburton East. The rider, aged in his 40s, was clocked at 160km/h in a 80km/h zone on Woods Point Rd about 1pm on Saturday, November 16. The Healesville man was charged on summons with speeding and other traffic offences and his motorbike was impounded for 30 days.

FERNTREE GULLY

A bus driver accused of hitting and killing a Ringwood man in Ferntree Gully last year will face court on Wednesday.

Major Collision Investigation unit detectives arrested and charged the driver on November 16.

A 38-year-old Ringwood man was struck and killed by a bus on Burwood Highway in the December 12, 2018 incident.

Police charged the bus driver, a 60-year-old Woori Yallock man, with dangerous driving causing death.

He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on the charge on November 20.