General News
29 November, 2024
Citizens arrest after spate of robberies
All sorts of drama surrounded the arrest of a male, allegedly involved in a spate of break ins and robberies in Warracknabeal last week and over the weekend.
All sorts of drama surrounded the arrest of a male, allegedly involved in a spate of break ins and robberies in Warracknabeal last week and over the weekend.
The series of break-ins and robberies apparently started with two Triton utilities, one being an escort vehicle with signage and lights on top, stolen from O’Connors on Wednesday night.
The thieves cut locks on entrance gates of the compound and then broke into a secure container finding keys to the vehicles in a key safe.
The stolen vehicles were seen in Warracknabeal and Horsham over the following days.
The thieves then progressed to a series of forced break-ins at the Aerodrome during Thursday night.
At the aerodrome the CFA fire bomber refilling station-storage container was broken into and equipment stolen, including a CFA two way radio, hence putting the base offline during Saturday’s total fire ban day.
The Warracknabeal Aero clubrooms were also broken into, smashing the door to gain entry, as well as the drag club storage container and an aircraft hangar was also broken into.
As events evolved the O’Connors utility was spotted at the boat ramp on Saturday afternoon with a group of four people.
A citizens arrest was made of a male, but before police arrived the suspect and another party reportedly escaped and ran into the creek.
The mid thirties male then travelled in the creek, trying to evade the members of the public and then police upon arrival, from the area around the ‘half moon bridge’ and past the Lions Park.
Police monitored the suspect, who wouldn’t come out of the creek.
He continued to swim and walk in the creek all the way around to behind the Creekside Hotel, until he was encouraged to come out of the creek to police, where he collapsed on the bank and was taken into custody.
Warracknabeal SES and ambulance also attended.
It is understood a number of accomplices have either surrendered themselves to police or have been arrested.
Warracknabeal Police sergeant Kylie Newell said police had since interviewed one male in his 30’s and two females arrested at the time released with charges yet to be laid. One female is yet to be interviewed.
The male faced the Horsham Magistrates Court on Monday and was released on bail.
The Herald understands nine stolen motor vehicles have been recovered, and a large quantity of allegedly stolen equipment has been recovered and is currently held by police in Warracknabeal and Horsham.
Other areas of the region have also experienced break-ins and thefts. At this stage it is understood that Longernong College, Horsham Wreckers and Wilson and Bolton were also broken into and judging by the large quantity of goods recovered other sites may have also been broken into, but not reported as yet.
It is understood stolen vehicles and property were discovered at three properties in Warracknabeal, Dimboola and Horsham frequented by the male and others involved in the robberies.
Further thefts
In a further development, numerous police from across the region swooped on a male driving another stolen car on Wednesday near Rupanyup.
It is understood the male in his 30’s may also allegedly be connected with prior break-ins and robberies over the last week.
In Hopetoun Magistrates Court yesterday, Daniel Coad appeared via teleconference from remand in Melbourne and faced a hearing before magistrate, The Honourable Constantinos Kilias
His barrister, Mr Papadropoulos said he was not requesting bail on behalf of his client. The court heard the defendant faces multiple matters in both Melbourne and Horsham with seven briefs outstanding.
Mr Coad has been remanded in custody until a further hearing via video conference set for December 11, from the Horsham Magistrates Court.