News round-up

SEARCH AT PROM FOR MISSING HIKER

VICTORIA Police air wing together with police officers from Foster and Parks Victoria rangers were involved in the search for a hiker missing in Wilsons Promontory National Park last Sunday.

The 37-year-old Pascoe Vale man walked with a party of friends from the Mt Oberon car park to Oberon Bay, then at about 3.30pm decided he would head back on his own cross-country – off the track – to the car park.

At 6.30pm he texted his friends – who had long since returned to the car park via the walking track – to say he was tired, and shortly after that his phone went dead.

Parks Victoria rangers began a search, patrolling the tracks in the vicinity, and the police were called at about 7pm. The police air wing attended from Melbourne, along with two officers from Foster.

The police coordinated a lengthy search but were unable to locate the hiker. At 1am they were just about to abandon the search for the night and begin again at first light when the man made an appearance, having eventually navigated his way through the thick bush. He was uninjured but slightly cold.

A police spokesman said the incident serves as a reminder to the public to stay on tracks at all times.

DRINK DRIVER LOSES LICENCE

IN THE early hours of last Sunday morning, police intercepted a car in Victory Avenue, Foster, for a routine check. It was being driven by a 23-year-old Foster woman, who underwent a preliminary breath test. She was subsequently conveyed to Foster police station for a further test, where she blew 0.102. As a result, she received a $614 infringement notice and had her driver’s licence immediately cancelled. She is disqualified from driving for 10 months.

STIFF FINE FOR SPEEDSTER

POLICE intercepted a 23-year-old Pakenham truck driver in the school zone on the South Gippsland Highway at Welshpool at 3.10pm last Thursday. They found he was driving his truck at 73km/h in a 40 zone. He was issued with a penalty notice, including a fine of $1011 and four demerit points, and had his licence suspended for one month.

PENALTY FOR P1 DRIVER

AN 18-year-old Foster youth and probationary driver was last week issued with a penalty notice for flouting the road rules for P1 drivers and driving with more than one peer passenger. He received a $433 fine and a loss of 3 demerit oints. Foster police sergeant Neil Coates said it seems to be becoming common practice amongst P1 drivers in the local area. He urged drivers and their parents to be vigilant to ensure they are complying with road rules of which they should be well aware.

PENALTY NOTICE FOR SPEEDING

A 26-YEAR-OLD man from Inverloch was intercepted on the South Gippsland Highway at Foster at 7.23pm last Friday. He was fined $180 and one demerit point for driving at 111km/h in a 100 zone.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE CHARGE

POLICE last Friday interviewed a 37-year-old man from Fish Creek in relation to criminal damage at a McCartins Road, Foster, property on October 19. He will be charged on summons with criminal damage and assault and is due to appear at Korumburra Magistrates’ Court at a future date.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE TO CAR

POLICE are seeking information from the public in relation to an incident of criminal damage in Foster last Saturday night. Some time between 7.30pm on Saturday and 9.30 the next morning an unknown offender punctured two tyres of a car in Pioneer Street. Police are investigating.

BURGLARY AT FOSTER

POLICE would like to hear from anyone who saw someone acting suspiciously in the vicinity of Toora Road, Foster, in recent weeks. Some time between August 15 and October 23 someone broke into an unoccupied house in that street. They rifled through cupboards and drawers and left a mess, though nothing appears to have been stolen.

CHRISTMAS BOX FOUND

POLICE have in their possession a box of Christmas paraphernalia. It was left at a Foster address last week and handed into the station by the mystified owner last Friday. The owner can collect the goods from Foster police station upon identification.

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