By JESSE GRAHAM
YARRA Glen’s Men’s Shed was left reeling from a burglary earlier this week, when thousands of dollars of equipment – including a life-saving defibrillator – were stolen.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said that between 5pm on Wednesday 30 September, and 9am the following day, unknown persons forced open the rear door to the Men’s Shed on Anzac Avenue.
Det Sgt Barrow said that power tools, a set of wooden pens, and a period radio were all stolen from the shed, which is used by many community members.
But he said one of the more mysterious parts of the burglary was that the thieves made off with the shed’s defibrillator, which he said was a rare item to be taken.
“It’s a pretty low act – why you would steal that is beyond me,” Det Sgt Barrow said.
In total, Det Sgt Barrow said the stolen items would have been worth “a couple of thousand dollars, at least”.
When the Mail met with Men’s Shed members Alex Lagerwey and Alan Andrews on Friday 2 October, they said they were still making an inventory of what was stolen.
A Ryobi hand-held circular saw, a micrometer and a vernier were all confirmed as taken, along with a cash box.
Mr Andrews said the thieves also rifled through a first-aid box, though nothing appeared to have been taken, and attempted to break into a filing cabinet.
He said the thieves had bent a plate on the rear door, which protects the locking mechanism from being tampered with.
Mr Lagerwey said the Men’s Shed, along with the council, would be reviewing and improving security on the property, and added he was thankful no members were present at the time of the burglary, for their safety’s sake.
“I’m grateful there was no injury or threat to individuals – there was no personal attack, it’s just an attack on property, so we’re sort of grateful for that,” he said.
He, too, was baffled at the defibrillator being stolen, describing the theft as “extraordinary”.
“What would you want one of those for?” he said.
“It’s a curious thing – a strange item to steal.
“I’m at a loss to understand the motivation to steal a defibrillator.”
Luckily, Mr Lagerwey said the Men’s Shed was insured, and all of the pieces of equipment taken were engraved with “YGDMS” for Yarra Glen and District Men’s Shed.
“The loss isn’t debilitating to us,” he said.
“But the invasion … it’s a creepy feeling.”
He said he believed there were other defibrillators in town, which could be used in an emergency.
Men’s Sheds function as a place for men of all ages to do woodwork, metalwork and machinery repair, and act as a drop-in centre where people can make friends and share their skills.
The Yarra Glen shed opened to members in October 2013.
The theft from the Men’s Shed follows last Tuesday’s ram-raid burglary of an ATM from Yarra Glen’s United Petroleum service station.
Det Sgt Barrow said a Nissan Patrol was believed to have been reversed through the service station’s doors, before thieves hooked an ATM to the vehicle and drove away.
Anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour around the shed at the time of the burglary, or who has any information, is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
