Latrobe Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man with 30 offences following a series of alleged incidents in Moe and the surrounding area.
Between 12.10am and 2pm on Monday 16 February, it is alleged:
- Two male offenders stole power tools from a utility parked outside a property on Alcott Drive in Newborough about 12.10am. One of the men left the area in a vehicle.
- A man, who was allegedly armed with a machete, attempted to enter a property on Freeman Circuit in Newborough about 12.15am.
- The man allegedly slashed a fly screen window at a property on Caspian Court in Newborough just before 1am. He allegedly demanded money from the male victim, but left empty handed.
- It is alleged the man forced entry into a vehicle on Hayes Street about 1.15am. He managed to set off, before the car came to a stop in the middle of the road. The offender allegedly stole a bank card from inside the car and ran from the scene as police arrived. Officers located a machete inside the vehicle.
- Offenders attended a property on Thompsons Road and allegedly stole a ride on lawn mower. They also allegedly attempted to steal a vehicle but were unsuccessful.
- The stolen lawn mower was allegedly used to ram the door of a licensed premises on Waterloo Road. The offenders allegedly stole tools and alcohol from the business. They then allegedly dumped the lawn mower at the scene, before stealing stole an all-terrain vehicle and fled.
- An offender attended the yard of a property on Della Torre Road in Moe and allegedly stole a white Ford Laser. Tools were also allegedly stolen from a shed.
- The allegedly stolen white Ford Laser was later seen doing burnouts outside a property on King Street in Moe about 10.55am. The male occupant of the house and the male driver of the car were allegedly involved in an altercation. The driver allegedly assaulted the man, then got back into the Ford Laser and deliberately allegedly drove into a parked Holden Equinox. The male victim was not physically injured and there was significant damage to the Holden. The driver of the Ford fled the scene. Police located the Ford on Luke Court a short time later, but the driver allegedly sped off.
- The stolen white Ford was then involved in an alleged petrol drive off at a service station on Saviges Road.
- The Ford Laser was dumped in Giggs Court in Moe, before the male offender allegedly stole an Izuzu truck from a worksite on Della Torre Road.
- The male offender attended Old Sale Road in Westbury, where he allegedly gained access to a shed and stole equipment.
The allegedly stolen Isuzu truck was located by a member of the public outside a property on King Street in Moe about 12.30am on Tuesday, 17 February.
Police attended and located the 23-year-old Newborough man inside the property, where he was arrested.
He's been charged with 30 offences including:
- burglary (x4)
- theft (x5)
- theft from motor vehicle (x2)
- theft of motor vehicle (x3)
- attempted aggravated burglary
- attempted armed robbery
- attempted theft of motor vehicle (x2)
- criminal damage (x3)
- drive whilst disqualified (x2)
- careless driving
- improper use of motor vehicle
- unlawful assault
The Newborough man was remanded to appear at Latrobe Magistrates' Court on 15 June.
A 32-year-old man and a 26-year-old man, both from Moe, were also arrested following the alleged incidents.
They were released and are expected to be charged on summons.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Anyone who witnessed the incidents, with footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
