Spate of bike thefts
Echuca and Moama police are asking members of the community to take preventive measures to protect their bikes after a spate of theft throughout the twin towns.
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Police ask that people chain up their bikes, don’t leave them in their front yard or out in the open. Please report any thefts to the police as some bikes have been recovered.
Car seized
At 9.50pm on January 1, Moama police observed a Subaru doing burnouts.
The vehicle, which was later recovered on Kingsley St in Moama, was stolen in Echuca on December 30.
It was seized by police for forensic evidence.
Court appearance looms
Moama police stopped a 27-year-old man on Meninya St last week.
He was found allegedly with cannabis and an ice pipe.
He was issued paperwork to attend Moama Local Court at a later date.
Vehicles stolen
A grey Toyota vehicle parked at Lawson Dve in Moama was stolen on the evening of December 28, 2023.
It was later recovered in Wharparilla Rd, Echuca West.
At 7.30pm on December 28, a Toyota corolla was stolen from Harris Ct, Moama.
The vehicle was recovered on December 31 on Kiely Rd, Moama, and taken to Moama Police Station for a forensic examination.
Break-in
Between December 28 and 29, 2023, there was a break-in at a home in Moama.
Forced entry was reported along with the theft of numerous items including an iPad and earbuds.
If you have any information in relation to this matter, contact Moama Police Station on 5482 0099.
Motorbikes stolen
Two motorbikes were stolen from an address on Murphy Way, Echuca on, New Year’s Eve.
One was a red and white Honda 250 and the other was a blue and white Yamaha 125.
Contact Echuca Police Station on 5483 1500 if you have any information in relation to this matter.
Echuca theft
During New Year’s Eve, a black and gold mountain bike, a handbag and other personal items were stolen from an address on Crofton St, Echuca.
Tools, dragon scooter stolen
An electric dragon scooter and tools were stolen from a McKenzie St, Echuca, property on Christmas Eve.
GPS, coins stolen
Between December 1 and 2, 2023 there was a car break-in on Snowden St, Echuca.
A GPS, coins and other personal items were taken.
More thefts
There were a range of thefts from an Ogilvie Ave accommodation provider between December 1 and 2, 2023.
The thefts included two mountain bikes, one black and blue and the other silver and white. They are valued about $1700 in total.
Also, cash was taken from a vehicle and a boom box and other personal items were taken from a table.
Have you seen Shanara
Police are asking if people have seen Shanara, 17. She was last seen in Echuca on Sunday, December 31.
It is believed that Shanara has been frequenting the Echuca-Moama townships and also has links to the Bendigo area.
Police and family have concerns for her welfare.
Seeking information
Echuca police are seeking information from the public regarding the theft of camping equipment from a 2002 Jayco Freedom caravan parked on the side of O’Dwyer Rd, Wharparilla, after it was damaged in a storm on December 24.
The caravan was parked on the northern end of O’Dwyer Rd from December 24 to 26.
Anyone with information about the above listings is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Echuca Police Station on 5483 1500.
Operation Roadwise
Victoria Police has detected more than 19,000 traffic offences during an 18-day road safety operation over the Christmas and new year period.
Operation Roadwise, which ran from 12.01am on Friday, December 15, to 11.59pm on Monday, January 1, saw police highly visible on major arterial roads and highways across Victoria in an effort to reduce road trauma.
There was a major focus on impaired driving, with police conducting 310,146 preliminary breath tests and 8944 roadside drug tests during the operation.
Police detected 668 drink driving offences — a strike rate of one in every 464 drivers caught over the limit — while a further 535 drug driving offences were detected.
More than a third of offences detected related to speeding, with 5854 motorists caught speeding between 10km/h and 25km/h over the speed limit, resulting in a $385 fine and three demerit points.
More than 900 motorists were caught using a mobile phone or device while driving, which attracts a $577 fine and four demerit points.
There were also 374 seatbelt offences detected, which is also a $385 fine and three demerit points.
The total 19,386 traffic offences detected during Operation Roadwise include:
• 7631 speeding offences (5854 for between 10km/h and 25km/h over speed limit);
• 704 unlicensed drivers;
• 644 disqualified/suspended drivers;
• 921 mobile phone offences;
• 828 disobey signs/signals;
• 374 seatbelt offences;
• 668 drink driving offences from 310,146 preliminary breath tests;
• 535 drug driving offences from 8944 roadside drug tests;
• 438 vehicle impoundments; and
• 1728 unregistered vehicles.
There were 16 lives lost on Victorian roads between December 15 and January 1. A total of 296 lives were lost in 2023, the highest number of annual fatalities in 15 years since 2008.
“While the majority of road users have acted responsibly over the Christmas and new year period, the fact we’ve detected over 19,000 offences in 18 days remains totally unacceptable,” Road Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said.
“Despite our warnings of a significant focus on alcohol and drug testing over the period, this did not appear to deter some motorists, with more than 1000 caught for drink or drug driving offences. This remains a major concern to us.
“We will continue to have a major focus on impaired drivers in 2024, so expect to be tested and face the consequences when you’re caught. We make no apologies for this.
“As we enter a new year, we’re appealing to motorists to reflect on their habits behind the wheel, take responsibility for their actions and prioritise their safety, as well as the safety of their passengers and all other road users.
“We’ll be doing all we can to ensure that we don’t have another year on the roads like we had in 2023.”