Arrests after gun spotted CREWS at Frankston police station’s divisional operation support office (DOSO) went on high alert when they spotted two teenagers handling what they identified as a black pistol in the rooftop carpark of Bayside Shopping Centre. They watched as a 15-year-old, of Frankston, and a 19-year-old, of Hastings, left the centre, 5.45pm, Thursday 1 December, and moved into Ross Smith Avenue where they approached a 40-year-old man.
Coordinating the action from their vantage point, DOSO staff advised police and security staff as they cordoned off the area, and directed members of the Critical Incident Response Team to the crime scene. Detective Acting Sergeant Marty O’Brien, of Frankston CIU’s Embona Armed Robbery Task Force, said police would allege the 19-year-old took out the gun and demanded the man hand over his wallet. When he refused the offenders ran
School’s out for MP’s bike A RIBBON-cutting ceremony for new playground equipment at Monterey Secondary College last week turned sour for motorbike-riding Frankston MP Paul Edbrooke when his bike was stolen from the staff car park. Frankston police said CCTV showed two offenders checking out the $20,000 red and white Yamaha R1 bike and then using another bike to tow it away, 1.50pm, Wednesday 30 November. It is not known if they are students. The Labor MP declined to comment on the theft but confirmed the motorbike theft. Frankston detectives are investigating the theft of the bike. No one from the school would comment.
Bike gone: Frankston Labor MP Paul Edbrooke’s motorbike was stolen during a visit to Monterey Secondary College.
west on the avenue and were subsequently arrested at the intersection of Wells St and Nepean Highway. The gun – which was later found to be imitation – was recovered during an arrest. The 15-year-old was bailed on firearms offences, while the 19-year-old appeared in an out-of-sessions hearing and was remanded to Melbourne Magistrates in January charged with attempted armed robbery and related offences. Stephen Taylor
Fire destroys house A BRICK veneer house in Frankston North was destroyed by fire late Wednesday night. Police have deemed the fire, in Mallee St, 10pm, Wednesday 7 December, as “suspicious”. Arson chemists were expected to attend Thursday. Four fire trucks from Frankston, Patterson River and Carrum Downs CFA brigades fought the blaze which is believed to have begun in the kitchen. Frankston senior station officer Doug Broom said the Housing Commission house had suffered “significant structural collapse and was 70 per cent involved in the fire” when crews arrived. He said crews initially thought three people may have been inside and searched as much of the interior as they could before the trio was found safe outside. Neighbours were warned to stay inside and close their windows to avoid smoke and possible asbestos inhalation.
Package destroyed
Jailed over burglary
A WELLS Rd Frankston post office and an adjoining business were evacuated when a suspicious package was found, Wednesday 30 November. Police and CFA crews reacted to what was reported as a gas leak, 10.15am, and retrieved the suspicioussmelling package after cordoning off the shops for an hour. The package contained leaves and organic matter – possibly fertiliser. It was placed in a protective drum and destroyed.
TWO men convicted over a vicious home invasion in Frankston in July last year have been given jail terms of eight and five years – sentences regarded as “appropriate” by detectives. Christopher Russell, 27, and Nicholas Kiezenberg, 32, both of Langwarrin, were arrested after an aggravated burglary at a Queens St house in the early hours and assaulting a man not known to them. In the struggle, the man was struck to the head with an iron bar and received a fractured skull. Detective Senior Constable Mark Garrett, of Frankston CIU, said the motive for the crime was simply to assault – not rob – the victim. The attackers were arrested the next day in Langwarrin and both were initially remanded to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for a committal hearing in March this year. Mr Russell was also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice after he attempted to interfere with witnesses. Both men pleaded guilty to the charges. Mr Russell was sentenced to eight years jail with a non-parole period of five years and nine months. Mr Kiezenberg was sentenced to five years and six months jail with a non-parole period of three years and three months. A woman who accompanied the men on the raid, but who pleaded not guilty to assault charges, was acquitted. Detective Garrett said the victim, who has recovered from the fractured skull, was satisfied with the sentences. “The sentences are appropriate given the violent nature of the incident in which the victim sustained an injury that had the potential to be life-threatening,” he said. Police believe an appeal against the sentences is likely. Stephen Taylor
Man threatens self POLICE arrested a man after he poured petrol in the foyer of Frankston police station, 10.15am, Thursday, and threatened to set himself on fire. Media officer Thomas O’Byrne said the man was being taken to hospital for assessment before any charges were laid. Anyone experiencing a personal crisis or thinking about suicide should call Lifeline, 13 11 14.
Cars set alight TWO cars were set alight in Carrum Downs in the early hours, Saturday 3 December, keeping CFA crews from Frankston and Carrum Downs busy. A silver Holden Barina was torched at 2.49am in Whitewood St and a Maroon Ford sedan at 2.54am in Clifton Gr. Both were fully engulfed at the side of the road when police arrived and later towed to wreckers’ yards. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
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newgensolar.com.au Frankston Times 12 December 2016
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