NEWS DESK Police patrol
with Brodie Cowburn
Drugs in raid SEVEN people have been arrested and several thousand cannabis plants have been seized after the execution of a series of warrants in Melbourne’s south east, 17 July. Eight warrants were executed at around 6am as part of Operation Escapist, part of an investigation into an alleged organised drug syndicate. The commercial and residential premises raided by police were across Clayton South, Waterways, Springvale, Dandenong South, Pakenham, Rowville and Carrum Downs. The raids saw police seize drugs, drug manufacturing equipment, and cash. Police said that “several significant hydroponic cannabis set-ups” were located inside factory buildings, with some of those holding around 1000 cannabis plants. Cocaine was also seized by police. Four men and three women were arrested and will be interviewed by police. Detective Acting Superintendent Craig Darlow said “drug manufacture, trafficking and use in the Victorian community continues to be a major concern for police.” “Operations like this highlight the links that drugs have to organised crime, plus we are seeing time and time again that many of our most violent crimes such as homicides and shootings have their roots in the drug trade,” he said. “The hydros that have been located today are absolutely on the larger end of the scale and we’re looking at seizing several thousand plants as part of this operation.
Thieves suit up
“Today’s result is incredibly pleasing for police and comes as a result of a lot of work put in not only by Victoria Police, but through working with our partner agencies.” Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
TWO men are being hunted by police after the theft of suits from Chadstone Shopping Centre in June. Police said that two men entered a closed shop at around 10pm, 6 June and grabbed six suits. The men put the suits into bags and left the centre. CCTV images have been released of the men police would like to speak to. One man is perceived to be Asian in appearance, with a dark moustache and beard. A second man is perceived to be Caucasian with a beard. Information to Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000.
Kidnapping arrests TWO people have been arrested in relation to an alleged kidnapping in June of 2018. At around 3am, 3 June 2018, two men allegedly damaged another vehicle in Carrum Downs. The driver of the damaged car drove towards Ballarto Road, and the alleged offenders chased. The victim was allegedly run off the road, and dragged out of the car by the offenders. He was allegedly assaulted and put in the back seat of the car. He later escaped. A 21-year-old man who resides in Carrum Downs faced the Melbourne County Court on 10 July in relation to the incident, and was sentenced. Police say he is expected to be deported. A second man, a 20-year-old from Bittern, is expected to face the Melbourne County Court on 14 August. They both received a number of charges, including kidnapping and criminal damage.
Teens taken in POLICE have arrested four teenagers after chasing down an allegedly stolen car, overnight 17 July. Police spotted the Nissan X-Trail,
Unsuitable behaviour: Police have released a CCTV image of two people who they want to speak to in relation to the alleged theft of suits at Chadstone.
allegedly stolen from Blaxland Avenue Frankston South, driving in Dandenong at around 1am. Police allege that the vehicle took off when they tried to pull them over. The car was monitored through Rowville, Dandenong, Lyndhurst, Skye, Frankston and Carrum Downs. With the assistance of the airwing, the car was spotted and came to a stop on Frankston-Dandenong Road. The occupants of the car allegedly fled on foot into a Wedge Road backyard. A 17-year-old Frankston North girl and a 19-year-old woman from Frankston were arrested by police. With the assistance of the dog squad, a 16 and 17-year-old from Carrum
Downs were also arrested. All four are “assisting police with their enquiries”. Police believe a fifth person may still be outstanding. Witnesses or anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers.
Carjacking arrests A 26-YEAR-old Edithvale man and a 25-year-old Warragul woman have been arrested and charged after an alleged carjacking, 19 July. Police believe a 68-year-old Langwarrin man was exiting his vehicle at around 3pm near Inglenook Crescent and Havana Crescent when he was approached by another man. The man allegedly produced a knife and stole the
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Be seen everywhere. PAGE 6
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
24 July 2019
vehicle from the victim. Police later received calls that a car had been spotted driving erratically around Frankston and Skye. The car was later located by police in Skye, where the man and woman were arrested at around 3.50pm. An Edithvale man was charged with aggravated carjacking and remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court, 20 July. A Warragul woman was charged with theft of motor vehicle and bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court, 8 August The victim was uninjured. A 40-year-old man from Skye was also arrested at the Skye property on other unrelated theft matters.