Checkpoint arrest
A 41-year-old Chum Creek woman was arrested at the Coldstream Covid-19 vehicle checkpoint on 4 August.
Police said the woman failed to complete an oral fluid test (OFT) and assaulted a police officer at the checkpoint about 8.45am.
She was taken into custody to complete the OFT and is expected to be charged on summons with assault police and drug driving related offences.
Police said the officer sustained a minor graze as a result of the incident.
Highway Patrol report
A 33-year-old male driver was found driving with incorrect number plates on Democrat Drive, The Basin on 9 August.
Police said the man was found to be unlicensed about 12.50pm and his vehicle had not been registered since 2013.
He was allegedly displaying number plates issued to another vehicle.
The man’s vehicle was immediately impounded for 30 days at a cost of $1325.
Police said he would be given the opportunity to explain his behaviour to a magistrate in the near future.
Anti-mask protestors arrested
A Mooroolbark man and a Chirnside Park man have been arrested as the organisers of an anti-mask rally that was planned for Melbourne’s CBD over the weekend.
Police arrested the two men following an investigation into the protest, which would have seen hundreds of people march through city streets on 9 August, breaching the Chief Health Officer’s directives.
Two search warrants were executed on the evening of 6 August, where police seized mobile phones and a computer at the Mooroolbark and Chirnside Park addresses.
The Mooroolbark man, aged 41, was charged with incitement. He was bailed and is due to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on 21 January 2021.
The Chirnside Park man, also 41, was arrested but released with intent to summons. He is expected to be charged with the same offences, according to Victoria Police.
Lilydale carjacking
Lilydale Police are investigating an aggravated carjacking incident in Lilydale where a rideshare driver was threatened at knifepoint.
Police said the rideshare driver was looking for business in the Lilydale area and when he asked a male at Yarra Valley Shopping Centre if he needed a ride, the male produced a knife and demanded money.
The male then allegedly stole the victim’s car, a silver Toyota Camry sedan (1PE9BE), and drove away at 12.30am on 24 July. The vehicle was later recovered in Kinglake.
The incident is being investigated by Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit and they are calling for anyone with information regarding the identity of the male to contact 9739 2300 or to submit a confidential report via CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Changes to transit
Victoria Police is making some changes to public transport patrols as part of its evolving response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Police said a highly visible presence would continue at major railway stations, while some police and Protective Service Officers (PSOs) would be redeployed as part of the expansion of Operation Sentinel.
With fewer people accessing reduced services on the public transport network, officers previously deployed to railway stations will commence roaming patrols across the network from 6 August.
These police and PSOs will ride public transport between these railway stations across the network in order to maintain maximum coverage.
The expansion of Operation Sentinel will see the redeployed police and PSOs supporting pop-up vehicle checkpoints and conducting mobile patrols in vehicles, and on foot, throughout metropolitan Melbourne.
Police and PSOs will also continue to be patrolling regional transport hubs, including at train stations and tram and bus terminals, to ensure that people are complying with the Chief Health Officer’s directions.
