Welshpool ram raid ute driver wanted by police

Victoria Police want to speak to anyone with information that could identify the driver of a silver Ford Ranger twin cab utility, one of two vehicles used in a ram raid on a Welshpool business during the early hours of Friday morning July 3, 2020.

The second vehicle involved in the raid, a white Mitsubishi utility, was stolen earlier that morning from Yarram and was subsequently found dumped beside the South Gippsland Highway between Leongatha and Korumburra.

A combined loss and damage bill of more than $15,000 resulted after at least one of the two utes was driven at the front entrance to Welshpool Outdoor in Main Street at about 4.25 am.

Toora Police Station Commander, Leading Senior Constable Paul Delaney, said the incident was the third time within a year that Welshpool Outdoor had been struck by thieves.

“The first break-in occurred on October 31, 2019, followed by the second, which took place on March 11, 2020,” he said.

“In this latest event, captured on closed circuit television, the utes were used to smash the glass front door and window of the premises, which also caused damage to the surrounding brickwork.

“Three offenders were observed at the scene and when they had gained entry to the building they took a brush-cutter and other items before decamping in an easterly direction along the South Gippsland Highway,” LSC Delaney said.

“The driver of a truck passing through Welshpool at about 4.40 am saw the damage to the front of Welshpool Outdoor and notified the owner, who then contacted police.”

A Victoria Police crime scene officer from the Wonthaggi Criminal Investigation Unit also examined the scene.

Yarram Police Senior Constable Karen Dale said that unknown offenders attended the Yarram Golf Club grounds at about 3 am on Friday July 3, 2020.

“The offenders broke into the main club house by smashing a glass sliding door and a window,” she said.

“They then ransacked cupboards inside the building and stole chainsaws and battery chargers, as well as a white Mitsubishi ute before leaving and heading towards the Welshpool area.”

LSC Delaney said the silver Ford Ranger ute used in the raid has since been also identified as stolen from Alexandra, in central Victoria on Monday, June 29, and that it is currently still outstanding.

“We would like to hear from any person or witness who may be able to help us with our inquiries into this matter,” he said.

“We are still looking for the silver ute, which has a distinctive toolbox on the back, as well as seeking the identities of the three offenders involved.

“Please ring Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 to report information.”

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