Charges follow chase

By Dion Teasdale
A HEALESVILLE man has been charged with a string of burglaries in the town in the past 12 months.
The 36-year-old was arrested and charged after leading police on a dramatic two-hour chase on foot across the town last week.
Officers from Healesville Police attended a report of domestic violence at a private residence in Auburn Road about12.15pm on Monday, 28 November.
When they arrived a man, wanted for questioning by police in relation to a number of burglaries and thefts in the area, fled on foot via neighbouring properties.
Police believe the man made his way to the Grand Hotel on Maroondah Highway where he caught a taxi to Haig Avenue.
Sergeant Tony Van Gorp from Healesville Police said officers from Healesville, Lilydale, Warburton and Mooroolbark were called in to search for the man.
“Police units converged on the area and a male was chased by police through a number of properties before escaping again,” he said.
Sgt Van Gorp said a helicopter from the police air wing was then dispatched to help officers on the ground.
“A vigilant member of the public sighted the suspect hiding in the backyard of a property on Maroondah Highway about 2pm,” he said.
“A short time later police arrested a man who was found hiding under a neighbouring house.”
Sgt Van Gorp said the man was taken to Healesville police station where he was interviewed by local police and members of the Croydon Regional Response Unit.
“He was charged with intentionally causing injury, unlawful assault and with breaching a suspended sentence, and was also charged with four cases of burglary and theft,” he said.
Sgt Van Gorp said the four counts of burglary and theft related to alleged incidents at the Healesville Sanctuary, the Badger Creek Preschool and the Healesville High School Swimming Pool on or about Saturday, 26 November.
The fourth charge of burglary related to an alleged incident of theft at the Uniting Church on Maroondah Highway, Healesville, 12 months ago.
“Further investigations are being made and police expect to lay more charges,” Sgt Van Gorp said.
Sgt Van Gorp said Michael Lloyd of Auburn Road, Healesville, appeared in Ringwood Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 29 November and was remanded in custody until 17 January.