Morning armed robberies linked Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au POLICE are investigating links between armed robberies on service stations in Mornington and Chelsea Heights and a McDonald’s restaurant in Carrum Downs this week. In the three raids, two men of African appearance wearing balaclavas, darkcoloured hoodies and one carrying a tyre lever, smashed their way into the businesses in the early hours while terrified staff members looked on. In one robbery a man was bashed. The men, aged in their 20s, ransacked cigarette cupboards and stole cash from
tills while making violent threats. Their getaway car – a silver Holden Commodore sedan – was stolen from Aspendale earlier in the week. In the Mornington raid, two men used a hammer to smash their way through a glass door into the Caltex service station on Nepean Hwy, 4.30am, Thursday (27 October). It is believed they had earlier committed a drive-by theft of petrol from the Coles Express servo, opposite the Mornington on Tanti hotel, on their way to the Caltex station. Mornington Peninsula CIU Senior Sergeant John Coburn said there were “definite links� in the three raids. In the Mornington robbery, the men
then used the hammer to smash through the console window to steal the cash register and cigarettes, while the lone attendant locked himself in the office. The value of the haul is unknown. Police chased the getaway car north along Nepean Hwy towards Frankston but called off the chase when it was deemed too dangerous. The car was later found partially burnt out in Narre Warren. The three cases are now being handled by the Southern Metro Crime Unit, based in Dandenong. In the Chelsea Heights and Carrum Downs robberies, both in the early hours of Tuesday 25 October, two men wear-
ing balaclavas smashed their way into the Wells Rd, Chelsea Heights servo at 4am using a crow bar. They forced a staff member to open the console door and stole cigarettes and cash before fleeing when a taxi pulled up outside. Police believe they were driven off by a third person. No one was injured in that raid. The same armed men are then believed to have robbed the McDonald’s restaurant in Hall Rd, Carrum Downs, 50 minutes later. They used a tyre lever to strike the attendant to the head before stealing cash from several registers and fleeing. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
Armed robberies: CCTV images of one of two men police are seeking.
Children and hot cars danger Granite sitter: Blue-tongue lizards among the protected species of reptiles illegally collected from the wild.
Keep hands off the reptiles WILDLIFE officers have been told to watch out for people taking reptiles from the wild. Operation ‘Granite’ has been launched by the Department of Land, Water and Planning following an increase in snakes and lizards being taken from their native habitat. Compliance manager Glenn Sharp has called on the public to report anyone seen taking reptiles from the wild or disturbing their habitat, either on public or private land. “We are working with our partner agencies, such as Parks Victoria and local community groups to assist us with gathering information
on this type of activity and investigate alleged breaches of the Wildlife Act 1975,� he said. Mr Sharp said people who took and traded in reptiles threatened local populations and biodiversity, and officers would be patrolling at sites during the operation. Anyone taking or disturbing habitat can be fined up to $37,000 and/or receive up to two years jail. Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the department on 136 186 and refer to ‘Operation Granite’. All information can be provided anonymously.
WHO would leave a child alone in a car on a hot day? No-one would be silly enough do that, would they? Sadly, quite a few people do – and this time of year the warmer weather makes incidents even more dangerous. “This practice is completely unacceptable,� Mornington fire station officer Simon Mildren said. “Many people are unaware of the high temperatures that can occur in a brief moment of sun exposure on a locked vehicle. It can take only minutes for the temperature in a car to become dangerous and life threatening. “The message needs to be clear: Do not leave kids or animals in unattended vehicles.� Mr Mildren said fire brigades along the peninsula had already handled a spate of incidents this spring. “The public does not give this issue the importance it deserves.� He offered these tips:
Never let your kids play with your car keys; Never let children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them a vehicle is not a play area; ď Ž If you have to put your keys down while you load the vehicle then put them in the ignition or on the roof of the car; ď Ž Call 000 immediately if you have locked someone in a vehicle, as minutes can save lives. Mr Mildren urged people in a life-threatening situation to not wait for the emergency services to arrive. “They should get into the car to help the child or animal, even if that means breaking a window,â€? he said. “If you see a child left alone in a hot vehicle, always make sure the child is okay and responsive. If not, call 000 immediately. “If the child appears to be OK, try to find the parents; if the child is not responsive and appears in great distress, attempt to get into the car to assist the child, even if that means breaking a window.â€? Stephen Taylor ď Ž ď Ž
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