MARCH 5, 2019 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
(Luke Hemer)
Not your average bear Lions and bears are helping Caroline Springs police officers spread the warm and fuzzies. Caroline Springs Lions Club president Nadeem Hafiz and secretary Rashid Bashir delivered 18 Care Bears to Caroline Springs police station last week to aid young children experiencing trauma. Sergeant Laura Woolfe said the bears were important in communicating with the most vulnerable victims of crime. “The Care Bears are a great tool for us to provide to children who come to the police station and have been exposed to violence and trauma,” Sergeant Woolfe said. “We deal with children with trauma all the time. The bears are important to our work … they mean that when we approach a child, they will feel a bit more comfortable. “It takes their mind off the trauma that they have experienced.” Sergeant Woolfe thanked the Caroline Springs Lions Club, which raised money for the bears through membership fees and events. CONSTABLE STEPHANIE ISKRA
Esther Lauaki
Violent gang rampage By Tate Papworth Three people, including a Melton teenager, were taken to hospital in serious conditions after a gang of up to 15 went on a violent rampage through Sunshine on Saturday night. Police have been told the violence began about 11.25pm when a group of 10 to 15 males set upon a 35-year-old Braybrook man who was walking along Hertford Street. The group searched his pockets and made demands for his wallet before they were scared
off by local residents. The Braybrook man was taken to hospital with minor injuries. Police believe the same group carried out a series of vicious assaults on Kennedy Street, including that of a 16-year-old Sunshine boy who was taken to hospital in a critical condition. His friend, a 15-year-old Melton boy, came to his aid but was also assaulted and had his keys and phone stolen. He was taken to hospital suffering serious injuries.
A 13-year-old Melton girl and a 13-year-old Melton boy were also confronted by the group on Kennedy Street. The boy was assaulted and suffered minor injuries. At the intersection of Kennedy Street and Devonshire Road, the group used a stick to assault a 14-year-old Corio girl. She was searched for valuables and her phone was stolen. Police believe the group continued its destruction, throwing a rock through the rear
passenger window of a car parked in the street. The offenders, all male, are described as being of African appearance and aged between 14 and 20 years of age. Police are continuing to investigate the sequence of events. No arrests had been made at the time of publishing. Anyone who witnessed the incidents or has information is being urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential on-line report at crimestoppers. com.au