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Police patrol Charges over gun, drugs in car A COUPLE found sitting in a car in the Waterways estate allegedly had stolen goods, drugs, knives and a home-made shotgun in their possession, 4.47am, Wednesday 1 March. The Mordialloc divisional van was called to Portland Place when four people were seen getting out a Mitsubishi Lancer, changing their clothes, and looking into parked cars. Police arrived to find the car with a towel covering the front number plate and the rear number plate missing. It was later found in the boot. A man and woman in the car “had no real reason for being there”, police said later. The two others had run off. Police allegedly found the 40cmlong shotgun under the driver’s seat. They said the “crudely constructed” weapon – made from two centimetrediameter water pipe – appeared capable of firing a live shotgun round. A second pipe allegedly found in the car may have been used to make another weapon. Also allegedly found were several mobile phones, Samsung tablet, various sets of car keys, clear plastic gloves, and power tools. The car was towed back to the police station for processing and the couple were interviewed over unlicensed firearms, theft and drugs offences. A woman, 24, of Cranbourne, was released pending summons and a man, 37, of Oakleigh, was bailed to appear at Moorabbin Justice Centre in May.

Dangerous: Police believe homemade shotgun “capable of being fired”.

Woman bashed A WOMAN “sleeping rough” in Carrum overnight Sunday 5 March was bashed by a man who inflicted “considerable” facial injuries, police said. The homeless woman, 39, was asleep on a park bench at the corner of Progress Avenue and Nepean Highway when the man woke her and asked for a cigarette. She said she didn’t have any and went back to sleep. Half an hour later the man returned and put his hand over the woman’s face. He then began to repeatedly punch her face and head without saying a word. The woman tried to fight the man off and clung to a street pole, while the man continued punching her to the face and back of the head. Her blood could be seen on the pole next day. A man living next door yelled out to “leave her alone” and the man ran off towards the beach. The police dog squad were unable to track the offender. He is described as Caucasian, mid-30s, medium build, 177cm tall, wearing a dark-coloured hoodie and dark coloured pants. The woman, who police said had

been living on the streets for the past three months, was taken to Frankston Hospital. Detective Senior Constable Wayne Billing, of Kingston CIU, has appealed for public help in identifying the woman’s attacker. He described the unprovoked assault as “particularly vicious”.

Alcohol to go TWO youths stole three cartons of alcohol at the BWS outlet in Patterson Lakes, 4pm, Wednesday 1 March. An attendant told police the youths picked up slabs of Jim Beam cans, Corona beer bottles and Smirnoff Double Jack cans valued at $182 and simply walked out without attempting to pay. CCTV footage is being examined to help identify the youths, who had not been seen in the store before. They walked off towards Carrum. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

Court over thefts A MAN arrested in a stolen car in Chelsea, Monday 6 March, was allegedly in possession of a “significant amount of cigarettes and other stolen items”, police said. The Seaford man, 26, was wanted over commercial burglaries and aggravated residential burglaries in Narre Warren. He was remanded in custody to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Tuesday, charged with 22 offences, including burglary, aggravated burglary, theft of a motor car, handling stolen goods and evading police.

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Hall’s well for youth hub plan Neil Walker neil@baysidenews.com.au YOUTH could hold the key to the future of the historic Mordialloc Masonic Hall. Kingston Council asked for expressions of interest last year for tenants to lease the vacant building that requires extensive internal renovations to bring it up to modern-day standards. Council faces an estimated $3.5-$4 million outlay for renovations at the hall including the installation of toilets and a new kitchen so has been seeking a community group partner to share the costs. Councillors at last month’s public council meeting held on 27 February noted rates capping and budget constraints meant council is restricted on spending ratepayers’ money on major projects. Red Sky Cinemas proposed installing a community art house cinema in the upstairs section of the Masonic Hall, the Australian Radio Museum said it “would take care of the hall” if allowed to display a collection of radios in a permanent museum and the Mordialloc College Alumni Association proposed an archival museum devoted to the school. Council has decided to negotiate with Sandringham-based Kids Like Us Community Youth Hub over a

youth centre aimed at supporting young people “with emotional social learning challenges”. The group has offered to contribute up to $700,000 to internal renovations at the hall if an acceptable sub-lease is negotiated with council. Cr Geoff Gledhill welcomed the interest by Kids Like Us and said he hoped council officers could also keep speaking to other community groups since the non-commercial Kids Like Us may use the full building premises. “We think there’s certainly the possibility there can be a combined usage of this area,” he said. “We’re not sure if one organisation will take up the whole facility. Cr Tamsin Bearsley noted a community petition is calling for youth mental health services organisation Headspace to be offered premises in Kingston so it may be a good fit for the hall. Cr Ron Brownlees stressed the historic features of the Mordialloc Masonic Hall will be retained as part of any lease agreement with a tenant. Council officers noted ratepayers will need to make a contribution to renovate and maintain the hall in partnership with Kids Like Us and other community groups that may ultimately lease space at the building that is “socially important to the Mordialloc community”.

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8 March 2017

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