Vandals kill kangaroo and cause $20,000 damage to Wandin Park Estate

CRUEL vandals have mowed down a kangaroo and caused about $20,000 in damage to a Yarra Valley family-owned equestrian and wedding venue.

CRUEL vandals have mowed down a kangaroo and caused about $20,000 in damage to a Yarra Valley family-owned equestrian and wedding venue.

Staff at Wandin Park Estate arrived at the 121ha site to find the devastation left after thieves, driving a stolen a 1993 Toyota LandCruiser, tore up paddocks, smashed show jump fencing, jammed judging boxes, destroyed water taps and electrical points and killed wildlife.

Vandals knocked down show jumping fences.

The vicious act comes only a week after someone used a vehicle to burst through the locked gates at Wandin Football Club and tried to tear up the grass by doing wheelies on the field.

Luckily the ground was hard and very little damage was done.

But Wandin Park Estate owner William Anker said his family were gutted at what had been done.

“They’ve mowed down a kangaroo. That’s the mentality of these people,” he said.

Wandin Park Estate owner William Anker in front of a damaged portable building which was rammed by the vehicle. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Mr Anker said the hoon smashed through about $11,000 of brand new arena fencing the Wandin Park equestrian committee — separate from the estate — has paid for and installed.

“They’ve crashed into and pushed one of the judging boxes about 40m away,” he said.

“They’ve taken out poles with electrics, a set of trailers with dressage equipment, rammed another portable building and smashed a tap.”

He said the stolen ute was a HJZ75 series, with Mickey Thomson MTZ mud tyres.

Mr Anker said the crooks left behind their windscreen and a gum boot.

“I don’t know how they’re not injured. They’d have to have whiplash.”

He said the car is believed to be stolen from Chirnside Park, had been involved in a road rage incident in Healesville, and been seen driving through Mt Evelyn.

Yarra Ranges crime investigation unit detective Sergeant Mark Smithwick said police were investigating the incident, which happened sometime between 8pm and 7am on Friday and Saturday, May 11 and 12.

Sgt Smithwick said there was about $20,000 damage done to equestrian site and it was frustrating for the community.

He said police were urging anyone with information on the incident or who might have seen the car in the area at the time.

Sgt Smithwick said the vehicle would have sustained quite a lot of damage.

Any information to 97392300 or Crime Stoppers 1800333000.