By JESSE GRAHAM
EMERALD police are searching for two males who drunkenly caused $2000 worth of damage at the wake for one of the teenagers killed in the Avonsleigh triple fatality.
At 6.15pm on Tuesday 14 July, two men and a woman are believed to have left the Paradise Valley Hotel in Clematis, where a wake was being held for one of the teenagers killed in a triple fatality in Avonsleigh on 30 June.
Emerald police Sergeant Dave Calkin said that the two men, who were believed to be drunk at the time, kicked in the panels of a car across the road from the venue, causing $2000 worth of damage.
The group then got on the 6.20pm bus to Belgrave, and police are searching for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.
The three are described as around 18 years old, and Sgt Calkin said one of them may be known by the nickname “Simmo”.
“If anyone knows these people, contact the police,” he said.
The incident is a dark addition to the already sad story of the Avonsleigh triple fatality, where Emerald Secondary College students Jason Breakwell, Sharn Walker and Felisha Allen lost their lives when their car hit a tree on Phillip Road, Avonsleigh.
Jake Mitchell, the fourth person in the car, was the sole survivor.
The community gathered in mourning last week, with hundreds turning out to farewell the teenagers in three funerals and sharing the memories they had with them during their lives.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or file a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Excavator goes missing
POLICE are on the hunt for two earth movers that were stolen from outside the Emerald Secondary College earlier this month, worth more than $100,000 in total.
Emerald police Sergeant Dave Calkin said that, on 2 July, a 2013 model excavator, worth $61,000, was stolen from outside the Emerald Secondary College on Belgrave-Gembrook Road, where it had been doing works.
Sgt Calkin said the excavator was then replaced with a 2015 model, worth about $80,000, which was then stolen on Friday 10 July.
He said Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) was investigating, and anyone with information could call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Sgt Calkin added that anyone witnessing suspicious activity should call triple-zero immediately for a response, rather than leaving a voicemail with a station.
“We’d much rather go to something that is a false alarm than actually have to take a report for stolen items,” he said.
“Most of the time, there is a unit working in or around Emerald – just because there’s no-one at the station doesn’t mean we’re not working.”
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity – or who knows anyone suddenly in possession of two new excavators – can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Attempted armed robbery
A FERNTREE Gully teenager will face court in September after an attempted armed robbery in Mooroolbark last week.
At 1.20pm on Tuesday 14 July, police believe there was an attempted armed robbery outside 77 Brice Avenue in Mooroolbark.
The next day, a 15-year-old Ferntree Gully boy was processed and charged.
He has been bailed to appear at Ringwood Children’s Court on 16 September.
Hospitalised with self-inflicted injury
POLICE have updated the status of a man believed to have been stabbed in Lilydale last week, and have said his wounds were found to be self-inflicted.
Yarra Ranges CIU Detective Sergeant Mark Smithwick said that at 2.30pm on Tuesday 14 July, motorists reported that a man was in Alexandra Road in Lilydale with reported stab wounds.
Det Sgt Smithwick said the man was taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
He said police have since established the wound was a self-inflicted injury.
Anyone who may be distressed about this report, is having thoughts about self-harm or knows anyone who is, can contact Lifeline Australia on 13 11 14.
Boat and trailer stolen
KNOW anyone who suddenly has an unexplained new boat?
Police are appealing for help from the public after a boat and trailer were stolen from Britannia Way, Lilydale, last week.
Sometime between Tuesday 14 and Thursday 16 July, unknown persons stole a Quintrex Busta aluminium open-cab boat and its trailer from the Britannia Way property.
The boat is valued at about $9000, and anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Burglary in Mooroolbark
A LILYDALE man will face court after being arrested for a burglary in Mooroolbark earlier this month.
On Friday 10 July, police arrested a 37-year-old Lilydale man for a burglary that occurred on 17 April in Russell Avenue in Mooroolbark.
The man will face Ringwood Magistrates’ court on 20 August.
Lilydale burglary charges laid
A HAMPTON Park man will front court later in the year after being arrested for a burglary in Lilydale on the same day the crime took place.
At 1.30am on Thursday 16 July, a 32-year-old Hampton Park man was arrested in regards to a burglary at a Lilydale business on the same day.
The man will appear at Ringwood Magistrates’ Court on 18 November.
Building site break-in
POLICE are searching for information after a construction site was broken into in Kilsyth last Friday morning, and are asking for witnesses to come forward.
Police believe that, at about 3.40am on Friday 17 July, a building site was broken into on Mount Dandenong Road in Kilsyth.
Yarra Ranges CIU Detective Sergeant, Mark Smithwick, said that nothing was stolen in the incident, as the would-be burglar was disturbed and fled the scene.
Anyone who saw any suspicious activity is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
