DETECTIVES have arrested a man over alleged aggravated burglaries and thefts at two Mount Eliza properties, Monday 12 July.
A Warragul man, 38, was picked up at Dandenong a week after he allegedly entered two Old Mornington Road properties and stole items, including $150 cash, speakers, Sony PlayStation, laptop, iPad and radio valued at $4000.
He was charged with aggravated burglary, burglary, and two counts of theft and remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrates’ Court, 29 July.
Detective Sergeant Jason Hocking, of Somerville CIU, said he believed the man was involved in the two burglaries in Old Mornington Road.
In one of the alleged robberies a furious home owner chased the man around his backyard with a shovel until he escaped – leaving a shoe, torch and knife behind.
The Old Mornington Road resident spotted the boot open on one of his cars in the driveway about 9am after he returned from a walk. Realising something was amiss he grabbed the spade and ran into the backyard, shouting to older children inside to “call the police”.
A man – caught on CCTV and with a hidden accomplice peeking from a neighbour’s property – straddled a side fence during the hubbub and escaped, leaving the items behind.
Residents reported various sightings of two men and detectives are asking anyone with information to call them on 5978 1300 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
First published in the Western Port News – 21 July 2021
