Thieves stole cars and smashed house with ripped off golf clubs

And read the reaction from local candidates

SOCIAL media lit up on Sunday morning, November 15, with reports of more car thefts, thefts from cars, attempted thefts and some other fearful incidents in Bass Coast and South Gippsland over the weekend.

In one incident, a late model, grey Toyota Hilux was stolen from a property at Ranceby, near Korumburra, in the early hours of Sunday morning, but then recovered by police some hours later.

Wonthaggi Police have confirmed that local police were involved in the stopping and recovery of the vehicle at an, as yet, undisclosed location.

“Yes, from what I can see, we had involvement in the Hilux. It looks like it was stolen nearby to Leongatha, and we were able to stop-stick that vehicle and it was subsequently dumped,” said a spokesperson for the Wonthaggi Police.

“But unfortunately, the offenders weren’t caught.

“No, I can’t say where they recovered the vehicle at this stage,” he said.

The owner of the car, who was awake at the time of the theft and called police immediately, nonetheless had a chilling warning for those considering doing their own police work.

“I posted this at 2.30 this morning. It’s been found! Please don’t chase after people who steal your car. It’s not worth it,” she said.

“They left a baseball bat and machete in the bus (vehicle). Bastards were here yesterday morning, they said they were lost. But we think they were either trying to steal it then or using one of those code devices to steal it without the keys. Sad thing is I know they are probably reading this and laughing.”

Her post received messages of support and empathy, but also a note about the “white Colorado mid 2000s-early 2010s with a red P plate” that she said was involved in the theft of her husband’s car.

“We had a white 2019 Colorado stolen Thursday morning from Warragul. It might be our car they were using,” said the social media contributor.

It was also reported on social media, on Saturday, November 13, that a white 2013 Subaru sedan, registration number 1DW 9SX (VIN/chassis JF1GP7KA3EG043887 and engine number 1097945), was stolen from Boorool near Leongatha.

While this car has not been recovered, it may have been involved in other thefts and incidents in the Cape Paterson and Inverloch areas in the early hours of Sunday morning.

According to an Inverloch resident, what appears to have been a white Subaru was caught on their CCTV pulling up in front of their driveway before an offender gets out and runs towards the house.

“Keep your eyes out for this car. They stole Darcy's golf clubs from the back of his ute, in his toolbox at 4.17am this morning. Unfortunately, can't see the number plate. It's not a nice feeling. If only my dogs barked like they do at the kangaroos in the estate.”

It has been further reported on social media that the criminals who stole the golf clubs may have used both them and the Subaru in the commission of another crime in Inverloch.

“The front door of our house was smashed in at 4.30 this morning, looks like the same car,” they said.

“That’s terrible,” was the response.

“I think they may have used your golf clubs to smash up our house.”

“That’s terrible. How scary,” said another.

“Much damage?”

“Not really, most frightening experience of my life.”

A Cape Paterson resident, who posted a warning on social media for people to “keep your cars, trailers, etc locked up” after an attempted break-in on Sunday morning, at 5.10am, also noted that a “white hatchback” was involved in the incident.

“We were just getting up (thanks basketball), and I heard them pull up, the guard dog barked and we went out and startled them. They sped off. White hatchback. Cameras show them driving up the road, turning around and pulling up at the ute. Can't make out the number plate with the lights from car and camera,” she said.

The Wonthaggi police officer said he wasn’t personally aware of reports of a Subaru stolen from Boorool, and likely involved in incidents at both Cape Paterson and Inverloch, but he advised those who had information to contact police.

Call Wonthaggi Police on (03) 56714100 or make a report to Crimestoppers Vic on 1800 333 000 or via their website at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Details can be provided anonymously.

Crime is an election issue. Here's what some of the candidates had to say about these incidents and the approach to law and order in general:

What Nationals’ candidate Melina Bath had to say

Eastern Victoria Region candidate for the Nationals' Melina Bath believes country areas need more police resources.

“Country Victorians are sick and tired of seeing stolen vehicles, break-ins and property crime hit regional communities," said Melina Bath, candidate for Eastern Victoria Region.

 “Our local police cannot be expected to do more with less - police stations need adequate staffing to better patrol and deter would-be criminals.

 “People in South Gippsland and Bass Coast deserve to go to bed at night and know their vehicles and homes are safe.

 “The Liberals and Nationals will strengthen policing numbers, toughen bail laws and put the safety of regional families ahead of the rights of offenders," she said. 

What Greens’ candidate Mat Morgan had to say

The Greens’ candidate for Eastern Victoria Region, Mat Morgan, also a Bass Coast Shire Councillor, says the present approach to crime isn’t working.

“Labor and the Coalition’s approach to crime simply isn't working. Victoria has more police than any other state, people don't feel any safer,” he said in response to these incidents.

“The Greens want to establish an Office of Community Safety and Crime Prevention, dedicated to taking an evidence-based and community-led approach to safety.

“We will invest in a statewide mental health outreach and crisis response service, modelled on the successful PACER program. It would see trained health, mental health and social workers visible in our communities, who can step in early to prevent and de-escalate crises, and connect people with the right support.

“And we need to address the root causes of crime by investing in mental health, addiction services, homelessness support, housing, youth and family services,” he said.

Sophie Thorn speaks from personal experience

Greens' candidate for Bass Sophie Thorn has had her own experience as the victim of an aggravated burglary and theft of a car in the Bass Coast area.

She spoke about it on Gippsland ABC Radio last week when she was asked where she stands on crime.

"Where I stand on it is that everybody deserves the right to feel safe in their homes. Everybody deserves the right to feel safe in their communities. I myself, you know, was a victim of aggravated burglary in my home," said Ms Thorn.

"Yes, in Gippsland. Yeah, and that resulted in the theft of a vehicle from my house. So, I understand the fear. I understand the impact that it can have, and you know, from my own personal experience.

"But I do understand it is a much wider issue. Now, the Liberal and Labor position, and also One Nation. You know, One Nation want to bring in adult time for children, and we know from experts and from research, that that is not a solution, and in fact, it contributes to more crime.

"The rate of recidivism is higher. People reoffend. What we need to be doing is listening to the experts, and we need to be taking their advice, and we need to be putting in strong prevention, preventing crime is a far, far better approach than responding to it after it has occurred," she said.