Police patrol with Brodie Cowburn
Murder charges TWO people have now been charged with murder after the disappearance of a Colombian national from Chelsea Heights last year. 28-year-old Sergio Cuesta was dropped off at a house on Jabiru Drive in Chelsea Heights at around 8.15pm on 16 September last year. He did not tell the friend dropping him off why he was going there, and has not been seen since. Cuesta was reported missing by a friend on 21 September. He has not contacted family in Colombia since his disappearance. In a statement police said that they believe his disappearance is suspicious. Cuesta was subject to an expired student visa, was on bail for drug offences, and was “known to have contact with people suspected to be involved in drug trafficking”, a police statement read. On 30 January police raided two properties in Mount Eliza and Cranbourne and arrested a 49-year-old Mt Eliza man. He was charged with murder and remanded in custody to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 24 April, 2024. Police allege they found and seized six firearms, a pill press, various quantities of dried cannabis and cocaine, cannabis crops, a crossbow, and a conducted energy device from Mt Eliza. A 48-year-old Cranbourne man was also interviewed by police that day but was released. On Saturday 3 February, police arrested a 25-year-old Flagstone
man at Melbourne Airport. He was charged with murder and remanded to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on 5 February. The Flagstone man was allegedly traveling to Queensland. Police seized cash from him. A 25-year-old Logan Reserve man and a 23-year-old Flagstone woman were also arrested in Brisbane on 3 February. Police say they will make an application for extradition to Victoria. At the time of his disappearance the missing man (pictured below) was wearing a black t-shirt, black pants and black sneakers. He is described as being about 170cms tall with a solid build and dark hair. Anyone with information about him can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Teenagers arrested SIX teenagers have been arrested in relation to the alleged hit and run of two cyclists on Beach Road. A 51-year-old Aspendale man was taken to hospital with serious injuries after he was allegedly struck by a car at around 5.20am on 23 January on Beach Road in Cheltenham. He has since been released from hospital. Shortly afterwards a 72-year-old man from Bentleigh East was seriously injured when he was hit on Beach Road in Beaumaris. He was taken to hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition. Police allege the driver failed to stop both times. On 31 January police arrested two 16-year-old boys. One was charged with armed robbery and theft of a motor vehicle, and remanded to appear in a children’s court at a later date. Another 16-year-old boy from Clyde North “remains before the courts”, police said in a statement. Four teenagers were arrested at around 7.30am on 2 February - a 13-year-old Hampton Park boy was charged with two counts of theft of a motor vehicle, a 14-year-old Wonthaggi boy was charged with five offences including reckless conduct endanger life, intentionally cause serious injury, theft of motor vehicle, and commit indictable offence whilst on bail, and a 16-year-old Healesville boy was charged with two counts of theft of motor vehicle. They will face a children’s court at a later date. A 15-year-old boy was released pending summons for theft of a motor vehicle.
THE aftermath of fires in Chelsea last week. Pictures: Gary Sissons
Fires investigated Overnight between 5 and 6 February, fires popped up at bins, a golf shop, and a playground at Edithvale. Police are looking into those fires too. A CFA statement read that “three CFA units responded to a structure fire at Fraser Avenue in Edithvale at around 3:18am on 6 February. Units responded from Casey and Edithvale. Crews responded to reports of a golf shop on fire. “Fire investigators will attend the scene today [7 February]. FRV, Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria were also called to the scene. The incident was declared safe at 4:05am,” The CFA said. Anyone with information about the fires can assist police with their investigation by contacting Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submitting a confidential online report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
POLICE are investigating suspicious fires lit around Chelsea last week. The first fire was started at the St Chads Bonbeach Baseball Club in the early hours of 1 February. The fire damaged the decking and was started with an accelerant, police believe. Later that night, a fire was lit at the playground at Bicentennial Park. The slide was badly damaged. Fire Rescue Victoria confirmed that it responded to two separate incidents overnight on 2 February. At 1.20 am they were called to Thames Promenade in Chelsea Heights, where they put out two fires. At 1.27am firefighters responded to an incident at Beazley Reserve in Chelsea Heights - a fire which started in a public toilet and extended to a playground was extinguished. FRV then handed both scenes to Victoria Police.
Mordialloc College is .... LEBRATIN G CE
Friday 16 February 12pm - 3.30pm Official whole school assembly
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TI Saturday 17 February OF EDUCA (Tours on the hour) 10am - 2.30pm School tours O
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100 Memorabilia display open both days.
With guests, BBQ and school tours
Former students and staff most welcome
PRINCIPAL PATRON
PRINCIPAL PATRON
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PRINCIPAL PRINCIPAL PATRON PATRON
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For more information and to register your attendance for either day contact the school on 9580 1184 or mordialloc.co@education.vic.gov.au or Mordialloc College Alumni at admin@mordialloccollegealumni.org Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News
7 February 2024
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