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Monday 7 September 2015
5973 6424 or email: team@baysidenews.com.au www.baysidenews.com.au
Rescuers to be cited for bravery Paramedic Brenton Willey (main picture) and policeman David Malloch (inset) may be awarded bravery medals after rescuing a woman from the icy waters of Port Phillip long nearly two weeks ago. Called to Chelsea beach by a passerby who had been unable to stop the woman entering the water, the two had no hesitation in taking the plunge into the dark to bring the woman ashore. See Page 5 Pictures: Gary Sissons
Mobile gangs target south Stephen Taylor steve@baysidenews.com.au CRIME gangs with a disciplined culture and ability to plan and set targets on the move have hit Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. The tech savvy gangs use social media, including Facebook, and encryption apps to co-ordinate activities, allowing their members to mobilise and disperse quickly, recruit members and
plan their next hit. Easy access to stolen cars and quicker freeway travel times mean that our once sleepy hamlets are now high on the agenda of the often race-related gangs who regard “slap on the wrist” penalties as green cards to commit more crimes. Mornington Detective Sergeant Nick Vallas said recent raids on the peninsula could be linked to a crime gang from Dandenong. “We can’t say they are definitely
gang members, but they probably are,” he said. “They adopt a common theme before committing crimes, which they call missioning. This may be to break into a car and steal it, or, if the car’s locked, to break into the house and steal the car’s keys and then steal it. The stolen cars are then used to rob other cars. “It’s this willingness to go to any lengths to achieve their aim that worries us.” Car owners are making it easy for
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thieves. On Saturday night, 22 August, eight cars were broken into in Bentons and Dunns roads, Mt Martha, with thieves stealing a Subaru – later recovered in Frankston North – and loose change. Detective Sergeant Jason Hocking, of Mornington CIU, said all the cars are believed to have been unlocked. “We go on about it, but people are still making it easy for thieves.” He said the incidents are not believed to be gang related.
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In Mt Martha the same night, up to four men burgled a house on The Esplanade, at 3am Sunday 23 August, frightening a couple who woke to find them rifling through bedside cupboards and draws. The men, described as African or islander in appearance, were using mobile-phones as torches, going from room to room searching for valuables. They left with jewellery valued at $20,000 when the couple raised the alarm. Continued Page 9