Police ‘too busy’ for Oppy’s Norlane Hotel attempted theft, staff claim

Staff at a hotel in Geelong’s north allege police were “too busy” to attend an attempted theft, and say it’s not the first time.

Staff at the Norlane Hotel say police chose not to attend after an attempted theft.

Staff at a hotel in Geelong’s north claim police were “too busy” to attend an incident this week, as a probe is launched into an attempted theft.

It is understood a man tried to steal money from the cash register at Oppy’s Norlane Hotel on Tuesday just before 3pm.

A staff member, who did not want to be named, said the pub called police multiple times but were told the station could not immediately respond.

Another staff member said a colleague approached the alleged thief and intervened by throwing a coffee at him.

He fled on foot.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said officers were investigating the attempted theft at the licensed venue on January 28.

“This job was prioritised by an emergency communications operator and directed to a police station for response,” she said.

An investigation is ongoing.

It is understood that the job was dispatched by triple-0 to a local station, which then chose to prioritise other jobs as they came through at that time.

Another employee said it was not the first time police had not attended an incident, claiming they were a no-show when called about a man showing disturbing behaviour on December 30.

He proceeded to spend more than six hours on top of a Norlane home in a stand-off with police, stripping naked, shouting and climbing on the chimney.

“This is a continuation of the naked bloke on the roof of the house,” the staff member said. “They were called about three times and they never turned up.”

He claims the man parked a stolen car “right in the driveway of the bistro” and entered the TAB with no shirt on and was asked to leave.

“Then he climbs on the roof and dozens of police show up,” he said.

“Everyone’s just had a gut full of it.”

Up to a dozen police vehicles attended the scene of the “siege”, near the corner of North Shore Rd and Portland St.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Police ‘too busy’ for Oppy’s Norlane Hotel attempted theft, staff claim