2 March 2014 – Armed Robbery – Taxi Driver- Mill Park
Published March 7, 2014 | 
Detectives from Whittlesea Crime Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses after a taxi driver was robbed in Mill Park early this morning.
Police have been told a taxi was called to a Figtree Court address for pick up around 3.15am.
It is believed two men with their faces covered, approached the taxi armed with a firearm and knife.
Both offenders then allegedly opened the driver’s door and threatened the driver before making demands for cash.
The victim handed over a small amount of cash, his wallet and a mobile phone.
The offenders then fled the scene in a dark coloured sedan waiting nearby, and were last seen travelling north along Roycroft Avenue.
The victim, a 26-year-old Clayton South man, was not injured
27 February 2014 – Armed Robbery – Retail Store – Coburg
Published February 28, 2014 | Fawkner Embona Task Force detectives are appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery at a retail store in Coburg on Saturday.
A woman was seen loitering in the vicinity of Waterfield Street just after 3.30pm.
She was also seen to drop a knife from her handbag before picking it up and continuing to walk along Waterfield Street.
At around 3.50pm the woman walked into a clothing store on Sydney Road and demanded staff open the till.
The woman reached into the till and stole an amount of cash before walking north on Sydney Road.
The woman is described as wearing a black/tan head scarf wrapped around her face, blue gloves, light blue jeans, a purple/blue long sleeve top and was carrying a tan/brown bag.
Police have released an image of a woman they believe can assist with their enquiries.
26 February 2014 – Glassing – Mall – Box Hill
Published February 28, 2014 | Box Hill Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance to try to identify a man and woman following an assault in Box Hill on Tuesday.
It’s believed an altercation took place between a group of men in the Box Hill Mall around 5pm.
During the altercation a 34-year-old Mooroolbark man was struck to the head with a glass, causing lacerations.
The male offender is perceived to be of Asian appearance, 177cm tall, medium build and is aged between 20-25.
He was also with a woman at the time of the incident.
Police have released images of the two people they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
26 February 2014 – Update – Appeal – Armed Robbery – Convenience Store – North Geelong
Published February 28, 2014 | Police are appealing for witnesses after an armed robbery at a convenience store in North Geelong last weekend.
Investigators have been told two men entered the store, at the corner of Separation Street and Thompsons Road, about 1.55am on Sunday 23 February.
One of the men, armed with a meat clever, forced a staff member into the counter area and made demands to open the till.
The staff member complied and opened the cash register, with the offender stealing an amount of cash.
The offenders also stole some cigarettes before both men fled the scene.
The pair ran to the north east corner of Separation Street and Thompson Road where they jumped into a blue Commodore sedan.
The car drove through a near-by car park and was last seen travelling east on Separation Street.
Police have released the below CCTV image of two men who they believe may be able to assist with the investigation.
One of the offenders is described as being about 180cm tall, 28 to 30-years-old, medium to solid build with an Australian accent.
He was wearing a fluoro yellow and blue top with a hood, shorts and thongs.
The second man is described as being approximately 24-years-old, 177cm tall with a slim build.
He was wearing a grey hooded top, grey cargo pants, balaclava and black sneakers with a thin, white sole.
26 February 2014 – Latest Crime Statistics – VIC Police
Published February 28, 2014 | Victoria Police has today published its latest crime statistics.
The statistics compare the 12 months to December 2013 with the 12 months to December 2012.
The overall recorded crime rate across the state has increased by 1.2 per cent, measured as a rate per 100,000 of the population which is standard acrossAustralia. The total number of offences recorded is up by 3.1 per cent (up 12,607 offences to a total of 420,719 offences).
Crime against the person has increased by 0.6 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population. This is mostly due to an increase in the rate of assaults, up 1.4 per cent. Robbery is down 15.4 per cent, and assault excluding family violence is down 2.9 per cent.
Crime against property has decreased by 2.6 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population, with theft of motor vehicle down 8.9 per cent, theft from motor vehicle down 7.5 per cent, and residential burglaries down 6.9 per cent.
Drug offences have increased by 12.3 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population.
Other crimes have increased by 15.5 per cent as a rate per 100,000 population, with the main driver being offences such as breaches in intervention orders.
Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan said the primary drivers for the rise in crime rates were drug offences and other crime such as justice procedures offences, in particular breaches in intervention orders.
However, crime against property offences, which makes up the majority of crime in the state, continues to drop. This includes property damage, burglary and theft from and of motor vehicles.
The local area commanders in charge of each police service area have provided a written commentary accompanying the statistics. To view them visit My Place at http://www.vicpolicenews.com.au/my-place
14 February 2014 – Armed Robbery – Restaurant – Bendigo
Published February 14, 2014 |
Police are appealing for witnesses following an armed robbery in Bendigo overnight.
It’s believed a man wearing a white jumpsuit and balaclava has entered through the rear of a restaurant on High Street just after 10pm.
The man has produced a firearm and made demands to the staff for money before leaving on foot with a quantity of cash heading toward Rosalind Park.
Police have since recovered the jumpsuit and balaclava which were discarded.
23 January 2014 – Appeal – Photos Released – Armed Robbery – Taxi Driver – Albert Park
Published January 24, 2014 | Police are appealing for public assistance after a taxi driver was robbed in Albert Park last month.
Investigators have been told four male offenders hailed the victim’s taxi around 9.15pm on Beaconsfield Parade, near the intersection of Pickles Street, on Tuesday 24 December.
As the victim drove, one of the men reached into the victim’s pocket and stole cash while another offender grabbed the victim by the shirt and punched him to the face.
All four men then exited the vehicle and commenced throwing bottles and cans at the victims taxi, smashing glass, showering the 28-year-old victim.
Police have release three images of the men in the hope that anyone with information will come forward.
23 January 2014 – Ram Raid – Supermarket – Longwarry
Published January 24, 2014 | Baw Baw Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a ram raid at a Longwarry supermarket on Tuesday.
Two men arrived at the Kennedy Street store in a late-model red Commodore ute about 4.30am on 21 January, where one of them has scouted the area before returning to the car.
They have then reversed the ute through the front doors of the store, causing considerable damage to the front of the building.
One man has taken a small quantity of alcohol while his counterpart has attempted to raid the cigarette cabinet.
He has abandoned his efforts to open the cigarette cabinet after being distributed by two witnesses.
The duo have then got back into the car and driven off.
The ute used is believed to be a 2010 Holden VE model, with registration number XTW806, stolen from a Hammond Road address in Dandenong about 5.15pm on Tuesday.
This vehicle is distinctive in that it has a ‘pontiac’ front end – only 500 similar vehicles were produced – with sports wheels and a hard lid covering the back.
Detectives also believe this ute was one of two reported to be hooning in the Longwarry area prior to the ram raid.
Police would also like to speak to the drivers of the second vehicle, described as a purple or dark green, older-model Holden Statesman, possibly VR or VS model.
The driver is perceived to be of Caucasian appearance, aged in his late-20s or early-30s, about 180cm tall with a solid build and short dark blonde/light brown hair.
He was wearing a bright green mask, dark-coloured footwear, dark-coloured pants, a black top with a collar and a dark beanie.
The second man is perceived to be of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 20s, with a thin to medium build and about 178cm tall.
He was wearing a green-coloured hoodie with a baseball cap worn under the hood and blue jeans.
20 January 2014 – Update – Appeal – Armed Robbery – Service Station – Yarragon
Published January 24, 2014 | Police are appealing for information following an armed robbery at a service station in Yarragon last weekend.
Around 4.40pm on Saturday, 18 January a lone man has entered a service station on the Princes Highway and approached the male attendant, asking for cigarettes.
The man has then pulled out a knife and a shopping bag, threatening the attendant and making a demand for cash.
After being given a quantity of money the man has left the store on foot and was last seen running in a westerly direction from the service station.
The attendant was not injured.
The man has been described as being around 30 years of age, between 173 and 178cm tall, perceived to be of Caucasian appearance with dark, short hair and was unshaven at the time.
He was wearing a mauve short-sleeved shirt, blue jeans, a baseball cap and sunglasses.
Detectives from Baw Baw crime Investigation Unit are investigating the incident and are appealing with anyone with knowledge of the matter to come forward.
16 January 2014 – Ram Raids – 8 Chemists – Boroondara, Monash, Stonington and Knox
Published January 17, 2014 | Detectives from Boroondara Crime Investigation Unit are appealing for public assistance to identify a man believed to be responsible for a series of burglaries on pharmacies.
The incidents have taken place at eight pharmacies across Boroondara, Monash, Stonington and Knox areas.
An attempted ram raid took place at a chemist on High Street Ashburton on 2 January.
The driver attempted to reverse into the front doors but was unsuccessful and drove away.
The man then travelled to Huntingdale Road in Huntingdale at 2.11am, reversed his vehicle into the front doors of a pharmacy and stole medication.
A further two ram raid burglaries were committed on 5 January at 2.35am in Burke Road Glen Iris and at 4.30am on Huntingdale Road Oakleigh East.
Medications were again stolen from the Oakleigh East business.
On Monday 6 January a vehicle with the same description also rammed into pharmacies in Box Hill South, Clayton South and Mitcham
The offender also attempted to gain entry to a pharmacy in Hawthorn but was unsuccessful.
It’s believed all incidents involved a white Toyota Hilux utility with a tray and a single cab, believed to be a 1990s model.
The offender is described in most incidents as wearing dark clothing, wearing something that covers his face and was carrying a black bag.
Detectives have released CCTV footage of the burglary in Middleborough Road in Box Hill South and the attempted burglary on Glenferrie Road Hawthorn on 6 January.
