NEWS DESK
Arrests smash a ‘fraud ring’ Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au BYSTANDERS scattered during what police call a “hot arrest” in front of a busy Frankston serviced apartment complex at about 3pm last Sunday (5 February). Detectives tackled a man, 28, to the ground as he supposedly kept watch beside pillars in the forecourt of the multi-level Nepean Highway building and handcuffed him. Racing upstairs they raided an apartment and arrested the man’s two alleged accomplices – and man and a woman, both aged 34. The couple were allegedly in possession of 118 stolen drivers’ licences, credit cards, health care and other identity cards, as well as an imitation Beretta handgun. Detectives will allege the cards and licences were being used to produce fake identities in an elaborate fraud operation with links to possibly dozens of thefts over the past eight months. The first arrest warrant in relation to members of the group’s alleged fraudulent activities was issued in June last year. One of the accused was wanted on six warrants. Detective Senior Constable Paul Roberts, of the Embona taskforce, said the elaborate identity theft
operation began to unravel when Frankston police night shift Acting Sergeant Matt Pearce, doing a routine CBD patrol, spotted a stolen Ford sedan emerging from the building’s car park, early Saturday 4 February. It was red flagged as having been stolen during an aggravated burglary in Lilydale two days earlier. But, before other police units could arrive on the scene, the car sped out of Frankston. Detectives studied CCTV footage of the building’s car park and identified the occupants before finding the hotel room had been booked in real names. A clandestine search found the imitation pistol which police removed before the next day’s raid. Later, the Ford was found torched in Mulgrave, with the occupants possibly buying another car for cash in the eastern suburbs and driving it back to their apartment to plan their next move. Detective Roberts said the stolen cards were being used to set up bogus online accounts with banks. Minimum credit lines would then be accessed and money taken from victims’ accounts. He said it was unclear at this stage how much money had been stolen in this way.
Read all about it: Anna Sitong Ji listens to Kingston mayor David Eden read a story at Cheltenham Library. Picture: Gary Sissons
Reading journey starts at home IT is never too early for children to turn the first page on a lifetime of literacy. Kingston Council is helping local children catch the reading bug with a ‘1000 Books Before School’ campaign. Mayor Cr David Eden launched the campaign at Cheltenham Library and invited parents to get involved. “Parents are encouraged to aim to read 1000 books to their child in the years before they start school,” Cr Eden said. “That’s less than one story a day and will help give
your child a great start to develop literacy skills and a lifelong love of reading.” The 1000 Books Before School program offers collectable stickers, stamps and a certificate to encourage young children to reach reading milestones. The campaign is being run in Kingston libraries and libraries across Victoria. Kingston Libraries regularly hosts activity sessions to help parents develop their child’s early literacy skills. See kingston.vic.gov.au/library on call 1300 135 668 for details.
THE Peninsulas FRESHEST MARKET
Saturday 18th February 9am to 2pm A beautiful market set under a stringy bark canopy showcasing the ver y best makers, creators, growers, designers and collectors from the Peninsula and beyond. 200+ stallholders, live music, kids entertainment, workshops, gourmet food & fresh produce!
Emu Plains Reser ve Balnarring Racecourse, Coolar t Rd
www.emuplainsmarket.com.au $4 parking to support Westernport Rotary and Emu Plains Reserve. Sorry, no 4 legged friends!
CRAFT
FARMERS
VINTAGe
gourmet
Eclectic
Follow all the fun on social media @emuplainsmarket #iheartepm PAGE 6
Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News 15 February 2017