Ute linked to five violent burglaries Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au A SILVER Nissan Navarra dual-cab ute is the common link between five armed robberies in Dandenong South, Braeside, Carrum Downs, Frankston and Baxter over the past fortnight. The male driver of the stolen vehicle, with false plates ZVA874, has threatened staff – many of them female – with knives and tyre levers in the vicious raids before running off with cash and cigarettes. Victims describe him as 167cm, thin build, wearing a black balaclava, plain black hoodie and light coloured jeans in all the burglaries. Several of his lightening raids are in the early morning; others late in the day. At 11am, Saturday 10 June, a man with a black mask over his mouth and nose and wearing a hoodie, parked behind a cafe in Abbotts Rd, Dandenong South, and entered through the staff entrance carrying a knife and a hammer. He threatened two staff members as well as an electrician doing work there and ordered them to hand over cash from the till. They did but he kept asking where the $50 notes were and forced them to lift up the till drawer so he could check underneath. The man took the cash and $5000 in cigarettes out to the car, dropping a till drawer outside the back door, before speeding east towards the South Gippsland Highway. At 5.20am, Wednesday 14 June, the man entered a snack bar on Industrial Drive, Braeside, brandishing a knife
On the run: The silver Nissan Navarra dual-cab ute being driven by the armed robber.
and a tyre lever. He ordered a female attendant, 66, to hand over cash and threatened other staff with the knife. When they opened the till he grabbed the tray and tried unsuccessfully to kick open the ATM before running to the ute with the till tray and driving away. At 9am, Sunday 18 June, the man armed with a knife and a crowbar raided a fishing shop in Lathams Rd, Carrum Downs, as they were opening up for the day. After demanding cash from the two male staff members, aged 18 and 21, he waved the knife and ripped out the till, throwing it on the floor, before stealing a small amount of cash. He also smashed open a glass display cabinet and stole two $800 game fishing reels. At 5.45pm, Monday 19 June, the man entered the NQR supermarket in Beach St, Frankston, carrying a jemmy bar and demanded the 17-year-old fe-
male attendant hand over cash. When she refused the man removed the whole till and ripped the plug from the socket. He then crossed the car park and drove off in the Nissan. At 6.41pm, Tuesday 20 June, the man parked the ute in the disabled parking bay outside the front door of the Woolworths store in Baxter. He entered the supermarket carrying a long-bladed knife and a duffle bag and fronted the express check-out nearest the door. The man ordered a staffer to open the cash drawer, which he removed, and then moved to an adjacent register and pulled the cash drawer from that register. He drove off in the Nissan along Baxter-Tooradin Rd. Anyone with information is urged to call Detective Sergeant Al Hanson, Frankston Embona Armed Robbery Taskforce, 9784 5555.
Partners saddle up across south east A NEW era of “cooperation” between the state government and councils across Melbourne’s suburbs has been heralded with the formation of six metropolitan partnerships by the government. The groups are “a new platform for cooperative engagement between governments, business and communities” according to Labor Suburban Development Minister Lily D’Ambrosio. A Southern Partnership representing Kingston, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula Shire, Casey, Dandenong and Greater Dandenong councils appointed Dr Elizabeth Deveny as chair this month. Dr Deveny is CEO of the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network. South East Local Learning and Employment Network CEO Andrew Simmons has been appointed deputy chair. Frankston Council acting CEO Tim Frederico welcomed the establishment of the Southern Partnership. “We welcome the opportunity to work with other levels of government, the private sector and community on matters that affect our region and look forward to actively participating in the partnership” he said. Council CEOs will represent local government at a minimum of four meetings each year to work on a fiveyear plan to prioritise regional needs “so that all Melburnians have access to the jobs, services and local infrastructure they need”.
“Working together can only mean more opportunities for local economies and the jobs that come with them,” Ms D’Ambrosio said. The six metropolitan partnership groups are gathered under the umbrella of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning. “At the induction day on 9 June, the Minister for Suburban Development, Lily D’Ambrosio, and the Special Minister for State, Gavin Jennings, expressed their thanks to all partnership members and in particular, those members of the community volunteering their time and energy for better outcomes across Melbourne’s regions,” department spokesman David McNamara said. Mr McNamara confirmed chairs, deputy chairs, council CEOs and members are not remunerated for their contribution to the partnerships. “Members are eligible to be reimbursed for reasonable travel and other expenses that they incur that are directly related to their service on their partnership.” He said there were hundreds of applicants for chair and deputy chair positions after the roles were advertised late last year. “The members offer a breadth of experience across a number of social, community and business sectors including health, education, social services, multicultural affairs, industry, small business and manufacturing.” Neil Walker
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Golden ticket up for grabs POP Chocolate Grove’s Chocolate Shop and History Centre on your school holiday schedule! Will Muddyman, the owner/operator, has samples to taste, including a fully operational chocolate fountain with treats to dip. Not to mention a huge array of chocolate & confectionery, over 150 products including our famous chocolate pizzas and brand new creations - gold bars and nuggets! Something very special….. WIN a special Chocolate Grove Factory Family Tour and see our chocolate treats actually being made! Every time you spend over $10 at our Chocolate Shop you can enter our Gold Ticket Draw. On your own private guided tour you will see massive chocolate blocks being melted down in our huge chocolate tubs. Watch sweet treats being enrobed in silky smooth chocolate. Get up close to our copper drums panning nuts and fruit to create a polished chocolate shell. This is a once in a lifetime experience and, of course, comes with take-home treats as well. The promotion runs from Monday 12th June to Saturday 15th July. There will be 5 Golden Tickets on offer with winners being drawn on each Saturday from 17th June to 15th July. Winners will be contacted via email. This is an in-store promotion. The Chocolate Grove Shop and History Cen-
tre is a wonderful family holiday destination. Wander through our fascinating Living History Centre celebrating the History Of Australian Chocolate and Confectionery over the years, complete with stunning memorabilia, fun for all the family. Chocolate Grove & History Centre, 48-50 Aster Avenue, Carrum Downs. TEL: 61 3 9775 1888. E chocolategrove@ chocolategrove.com www.chocolategrove.com Frankston Times 26 June 2017
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