Police release CCTV and photos of Cape Paterson vandals
Detectives from Bass Coast Crime Investigation Unit are investigating several suspicious fires at public toilets on the Cape Paterson foreshore last weekend. Emergency services were called after a member of the public discovered damaged facilities...
Police have released video footage of the people they want to contact in relation to the toilet block vandalism at Cape Paterson. If you have information contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000.
Detectives from Bass Coast Crime Investigation Unit are investigating several suspicious fires at public toilets on the Cape Paterson foreshore last weekend.
Emergency services were called after a member of the public discovered damaged facilities on Surf Beach Road about 7am on Saturday, September 16.
It’s understood two people have set alight multiple amenities on along the Cape Paterson foreshore sometime between 12.40am and 4.20am on Saturday morning.
Detectives believe the unknown offenders set alight toilet paper to ignite the fire in the male, female and disabled facilities, causing significant damage.
Investigators have released CCTV and images of two people they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
The first person is wearing a jumper with what appears to be “LUYALTY” on the back, a cap, long pants and runners.
The second person is wearing a camouflage hooded jumper, long pants and slides.
The fire damage has caused the closure of the council-owned public amenities along the foreshore leading into the peak holiday season.
Detectives are appealing for anyone in the area who may have CCTV or dash cam footage of the incident.
According to Wonthaggi Police Sergeant, Scott Morison, said it was particularly galling that the senseless vandalism had put much-needed community facilities out of action.
He said there was also damage to windows at the Wonthaggi Surf Lifesaving Club while cars in the vicinity of the foreshore were also damaged in what police believe was a related attack.
“It is particularly disturbing that we’ve got people with nothing better to do than go around damaging facilities put there for the use of the community and visitors, while also damaging a community facility used in the main by surf lifesaving volunteers,” said Sgt Morison.
Sgt Morison said it appeared that the opportunist vandals had used available materials, including toilet paper and rubbish to start the fires, rather than any accelerant.
But they have succeeded in causing thousands of dollars damage to community-owned facilities.
A unit of the Wonthaggi CFA Brigade turned out on Saturday evening, reporting damage to every toilet in the block in the First Surf Carpark, a burnt bin in front and damage to two other toilet blocks, at the boat ramp and the surf club.
The town was effectively out of public toilets at the start of the school holidays but the Bass Coast Shire Council has moved quickly to fill the void.
Temporary toilets, which will be cleaned daily, have been placed at the three locations:
· First Surf Beach
· Allan Birt Reserve
· Safety Beach-Browns Bay (near boat ramp)
While Police have recovered CCTV footage from various locations around the town they are also still appealing to the pubic who may have private CCTV footage, dashcam footage or who may have seen suspicious behaviour in Cape Paterson around 3am last Saturday morning, to call Wonthaggi Police on (03) 56714100 or anonymously to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/
