District police are still on the hunt for heartless bandits who robbed district primary schools, sporting facilities and voluntary clubs of cash and vital equipment just days out from Christmas last year.
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Eight separate sites across the Great Western, Moyston and Maroona areas reported property damage and stolen equipment between Thursday night on December 7 and Sunday morning on December 10.
Ararat Criminal Investigation Unit’s Jamie Bennett said he had found people reporting suspicious vehicles driving down dirt roads in the area.
“We are finding these are dirt tracks where vehicles would not normally be seen,” he said.
“Information like this helps police do their job and we need people to report it, as soon as they see it.”
Sometimes you may think a piece of information may not be important, but it could be key to our investigations.
- Detective Jamie Bennett
Ararat Stawell Archers Club was the worst hit in the crime spree, needing to fork out $10,000 to replace two ride-on mowers, archery gear, a battery charger, two jerry cans, two rolls of clay cloth, a wheelbarrow and cash donation boxes.
Great Western Primary School faced a $2500 bill to fix a damaged garden shed door and replace a stolen ride-on mower.
Burglars also stole cash and gas bottles from Great Western Racing Club and took more gas bottles as well as soft drink and alcohol from Great Western Riding Club.
A rear shed at Seppelt Cellar Door was also broken into, but it is still uncertain if any items were removed.
The senseless crime spree then struck Moyston where a brush-cutter and alcohol were stolen from the Moyston Football Club change rooms and a $200 bicycle was taken from Moyston Primary School. Maroona Primary School was also targeted and must pay $300 for a new lawn mower.
“We are still calling on the community to call Ararat police on 5355 1500 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if you know anything,” Detective Bennett said.