Southeast and peninsula crime: car theft spree, credit card fraud and a stolen windmill top weekly wrap
A car theft spree, some crooks who don’t mind spending big on their victim’s credit cards and, believe it or not, a stolen windmill have topped the list of this week’s crime wrap.
South East
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A car theft spree, some crooks who don’t mind spending big on their victim’s credit cards and, believe it or not, a stolen windmill have topped the list of this week’s crime wrap.
Find out what is happening in your area below and, if you have any information, get in touch with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppers.com.au
KINGSTON AND BAYSIDE
CAR THEFTS
Detectives are investigating after at least 35 cars in Bayside, Stonnington, Kingston and Boroondara were targeted by crooks. Nine of the cars damaged and broken into during the early hours April 10 were in Brighton and Bentleigh. It is understood several items were stolen. Police are yet to establish whether the incidents are linked. Police said they were taking the matter seriously and have urged community members to speak up if they have information or noticed anything suspicious. “We encourage car owners, where possible, to park their vehicles in a garage or in well-lit areas to deter thieves from engaging in criminal activity,” Acting Sergeant Melissa Seach said.
SANDRINGHAM
A 32-year-old Fawkner man who stole bikes from multiple Melbourne stations including Sandringham and Brighton was arrested on February 17. Transit Safety Division police made the arrest after some recent hard work to drive down bike thefts in the community through high visibility patrols and operations targeting repeat offenders. It’s alleged the man broke into train station storage cages and stole bikes which were then taken to second hand dealers. The man was charged with 10 counts of bicycle theft, 10 counts of burglary, four counts of obtain property by deception and three counts of possess suspected stolen goods. He was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on May 3.
MORE CRIME
SOUTH EAST CRIME WRAP: APRIL 12
CABBIE JAILED FOR RUNNING OVER DRUNK PASSENGER
ELITE PRIVATE SCHOOLBOY JAILED FOR RAPING GIRL HE KNEW
MCKINNON
A pair of crooks who stole a pair of $390 sunglasses from a McKinnon store on March 23 are wanted by police. Police allege the female and male crime team entered the McKinnon Rd eyewear store about 1145am. The pair walked around the shop for approximately 10 minutes before the female swiped the sunnies and hid them under her clothing. The female suspect then made an optical appointment but gave false details. She is described as caucasian, approximately 5’6, in her 50s with medium complexion and build and light hair. Her male companion is described as approximately 6’1, in his mid-30s with a lean build.
BAYSIDE
Bayside police are asking the owner of a “cherished class ring” which was handed into their station last month to contact them. “I believe this would hold sentimental value to the owner and am eager to return it to them,” a police spokesperson said. If you have recently lost or know someone who has lost a ring please contact Bayside Police Station on 8530 5100. Proof of ownership will be required.
MORDIALLOC
A pair of suspected crims, possibly a man and a woman, who stole a luxury car from a Mordialloc home on Sunday, April 7 are wanted by police. Police believe the pair arrived at the Treeby Boulevard home in a late model Audi sedanat just before 3pm. The burglars broke into the house, stole keys to a white 2017 Mercedes A45 sedan registration INB-99 and then stole the car. The Merc was last seen heading toward the Dingley Bypass on Boundary Rd in Braeside. The car has distinctive racing red, yellow and black stripes on the bonnet and rear spoiler. It also has a rear window sticker stating “Infinity and beyond”.
GREATER DANDENONG
DANDENONG
A crook who ganked cigarettes and booze from a Dandenong liquor store on February 17 is wanted by police. It’s alleged the man entered the shop, chose a drink and asked for a packet of smokes. The fleet-footed crim swiped the smokes and did a runner as soon as the cigarettes were placed on the counter.
SPRINGVALE
A pair of crooks who stole a bank card and $50 cash from a car parked in Springvale are on the run. Police allege the pair used the card to make dodgy transactions at several Springvale locations between 4am and 2pm on March 28. Police say the victim left his valuables in the centre console.
KEYSBOROUGH
A modern day Bonnie and Clyde who stole several items from a Keysborough store are on the run from police. Police allege a man and a woman entered the store about 6.45pm on March 29. The female crook distracted the shopkeeper while the male stashed stolen goods in a bag and in his jumper.
SPRINGVALE
A crook who stole sunglasses from a Springvale shop has fled with a little less than he planned to steal. Police allege the man entered the Princes Hwy store about 12.50pm on April 4. The crim jimmied open a locked cabinet and placed several pairs of sunglasses in his pockets. Staff confronted the man who then returned two pairs. “Sorry, didn’t mean to take them,” the man is alleged to have told staff. He then left the store with several pairs of sunglasses still in his pocket.
CASEY
FIVE WAYS
Believe it or not but police are on the hunt for a gang of thieves who stole a windmill from a Five Ways farm. According to police, an unknown number of offenders entered the property sometime on April 11. It’s understood the gang used a tractor from the victim’s shed to remove the distinctive windmill which has the words “Southern Cross Australia” emblazoned across it. Police are calling for anyone who “remembers seeing the windmill on a vehicle or somewhere that seemed out of place” to please come forward so they can solve the baffling crime. Anyone with information should contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au and quote the incident number 190130986.
BERWICK
A campervan which was stolen from a Berwick home on March 23 is sought by police. The van was locked but the thieves were able to locate the keys which they used to steal it. The van has a manual transmission and solar panels on the roof with a beige interior.
NARRE WARREN
A gang of four booze thieves are being hunted by police. It’s alleged the suspects stole four large 1Lt bottles of spirits from a Narre Warren store on April 13.
NARRE WARREN SOUTH
Detectives have managed to recover sentimental family jewellery following a burglary at Narre Warren South home on March 29. Police were able to use CCTV of The Boulevard burglary which led to the arrest of a 26-year-old Narre Warren South man on April 9. The man was charged with burglary, theft, handling stolen goods, drive while disqualified and failing to comply with police direction. Among the items recovered was a family ring, handed down to the victim for a birthday present from his grandfather who shares the same initials as the victim, and has since passed away.
DOVETON
An alleged crook who used stolen credit cards to make a number of purchases in Doveton on February 19 is wanted by the SD3 Frontline Tactical Unit. Police allege the victim discovered a number of fraudulent transactions had been made with his credit card after he lost his wallet.
CRANBOURNE NORTH
A crook who committed an alleged aggravated burglary at a Cranbourne North home on February 22 is still on the run. Police allege an unknown male offender was seen at the Ravenhurst Circuit home about 1am. Police later discovered a bicycle connected to the crime on Alisma Blvd. Anyone who has information about the incident or the owner of the bicycle please contact detective Senior Constable MacDonald on 9705 3108.
MORNINGTON PENINSULA
SOMERS
A 37-year-old Hastings man has died after he went kayaking in waters off Somers Beach. His body was found after a massive sea and air search about 3.30pm on Sunday, April 14 in the vicinity of where his kayak and paddle had been located earlier in the day. The man was paddling with a friend at South Beach when he fell from the kayak and into the water shortly before 11am. The man is yet to be identified and police will prepare a report for the coroner.
ROSEBUD
A 25-year-old Rosebud man has been arrested following an alleged attempted car-jacking in Albert Park on April 10. It’s alleged the man approached a stationary vehicle on Canterbury Rd shortly after 8.30pm and asked for a cigarette. It’s also alleged the man reached into the car and assaulted his victim before demanding the car. The victim drove away.
RYE
A man has died in a single car smash at Rye. Emergency services were called to reports a Mitsubishi ute had rolled on Browns Rd near the Dunes Golf Links golf course just after 4.30pm on Tuesday, April 16. It is believed the solo occupant, who is yet to be identified, was travelling along the road when he lost control and hit a tree. Browns Rd was closed between Dundas Street and Springs Lane for several hours.
FRANKSTON
CARRUM DOWNS
A fire which ripped through a Carrum Downs home just after midday on Monday April 15 is being as treated as suspicious. Police and CFA crews from Cranbourne and Skye attended after smoke was spotted billowing out of the McCormicks Rd home. The street was shut down while the blaze was brought under control. The home suffered extensive damage. A witness said several youths were spotted in the area just prior to the fire. Frankston Crime Investigation Unit is investigating.
FRANKSTON
An 86-year-old Frankston woman has died in hospital after she was struck by a car in Frankston earlier this month. Investigators were told the woman and an 88-year-old Frankston man were crossing the Nepean Highway about 11.10am on April 8 when a silver Hyundai sedan turned from Playne St and struck the woman. The man was not injured but the woman died last Monday.
The driver of the Hyundai, a 78-year-old Frankston woman, stopped at the scene and is assisting police with their enquiries.