CHOCOLYN, VIC. — The Chocolyn Country Fire Authority (CFA) unit has been ram-raided during the early hours of Friday, October 2, with a range of equipment worth thousands of dollars stolen.
Brigade captain Leigh Harry said the incident had been reported to police.
The Chocolyn CFA shed was ram-raided early Friday morning, with a large range of equipment stolen.
Warrnambool police detectives, Warrnambool-based crime scene officers and Camperdown police have been alerted.
Mr Harry said the front roller door had been rammed, allowing offenders to access the shed.
“We got a surprise this morning,” he said.
“It’s happened overnight. We have a member who lives on the property next door and his security cameras show suspicious lights about 2am.
“That’s our best guess about what time it’s happened at this stage.”
Mr Harry said it was believed that communication system radios, tools including chainsaws and other essential equipment like battery chargers had been stolen.
“For a volunteer brigade like ours, this is particularly distressing. Much of the equipment that has been taken or damaged has been purchased through the generosity of our local community, donations and fundraising by our members. It is incredibly disappointing to think that these resources, raised to help us protect our community, now have to be replaced.”
He said members had secured the building while waiting for crime scene officers to arrive and process the scene.
Mr Harry said it appeared that CFA sheds across Victoria were being targeted.
“There was an attempted theft at Shelford a week or two ago,” he said.
Last year a 58-year-old Dartmoor man faced court and was ordered to contribute $800 to charity after pleading guilty to negligently dealing with the proceeds of crime.
Police said stolen items found at his address included a generator, tandem trailer and two chainsaws, which had previously been stolen from the Dartmoor State Emergency Services building.
Mr Harry said there were also reports of break-ins at CFA brigade sheds in the Longwood area after the fires last summer.
He said the top-of-the-range radios were essential in fighting fires but “useless” for anyone else.
“They look good, but they are not a saleable item,” Mr Harry said, who has been involved in the Chocolyn brigade for 10 years.
“The gear is worth thousands. It’s insured.
“It’s essential equipment for our volunteers. Some has been provided to the unit, but much we have had to fundraise to buy ourselves with the help of the community.
“It’s extremely disappointing we have been targeted.”
Police have requested that anyone with information contact the Camperdown police on (03) 5593 1000, Warrnambool CIU on (03) 5560 1156 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
