By Kath Gannaway and Melissa Meehan
THE CROYDON Crime Desk is investigating the theft of two Toro Workman utility vehicles from the RACV Country Club in Healesville last week.
Thieves broke into a locked machinery shed between Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
The distinctive red vehicles are valued at more than $10,000 each.
Sergeant Craig De Lacey said the thieves left the property by the rear entrance on to Ryans Road. He called for anyone in that area who noticed anything suspicious around the time of the theft, or who may have seen the vehicles being transported later, to call Croydon on 9724 0119.
He also warned domestic and rural property owners not to leave keys with vehicles.
“The company has done the right thing by keeping the vehicles in a locked shed but keys had been left in the vehicles,” Sgt De Lacey said.
“If thieves do manage to get into a shed or garage it just makes it easier if the keys are available to them.”
Sgt De Lacey also urged people in rural areas to be pro-active in reporting any suspicious activity when they see it by calling police on ‘000’.
“It’s much easier for us to deal with someone on the spot than to try to chase up unknown offenders after the event,” he said.
RACV Country Club manager Brett Mays said the loss of the vehicles in the middle of a major redevelopment of the property had a huge impact on the project.
He said additional security was being installed at the club.
HEALESVILLE police are investigating the theft of a lawn mower and a whipper snipper from Healesville Living and Learning Centre.
A shed on the property in Badger Creek Road was broken into sometime over the weekend of 12 and 13 January.
Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact Senior Constable Sharlane Wilson on 5962 4422.
SENIOR Constable Chris Hickey of Healesville Police is calling on Healesville residents to help police in their efforts to identify hoon drivers.
“If our diligent residents, when they see this sort of behaviour, can get the colour of the car, the make, and even a partial rego number, we will follow up on it,” Sen Const Hickey said.
“If it’s one of our locals, even if it’s not a full registration number, it gives us a starting point.”
Sen Const Hickey said people should phone ‘000’ immediately if they see or hear drivers hooning on local roads. They can also phone the station on 5962 4422 and leave information on the answering machine, if the station is unattended, or drop a note in at the station.
LILYDALE Police are investigating a fire at a residence in Yarra Glen which burnt down a newly built unit in the early hours of Thursday morning.
The unit had recently been completed and police say that it was at ‘lockup stage’ before it was ravaged by fire.
The fire is believed to have caused $100,000 worth of damage, causing the unit to be demolished.
A neighbour alleged that a suspicious car was heard in the area just before the fire but police say that the cause is still under investigation.
YARRA Junction police have interviewed two youths in relation to substantial damage that occurred in Woori Yallock during the early hours of 23 January.
Windows were broken at the primary school and a residential property. Four car windscreens were also broken and several letter boxes were damaged.
Charges are pending.
