The Melton CFA was hit with a break-in this week, with the incident taking a toll on volunteer time, funds, and equipment.
The brigade’s Melton South station on Exford Road was the target of the crime, which according to Melton CFA second lieutenant Bailey Rhodes, happened between midnight and 7.30am on Thursday, July 24.
“We had a phone call … at about seven o’clock to say the front doors to our station were open and the truck doors were open – and there were obviously no cars in the driveway which alerted the person that something was a bit odd,” Mr Rhodes said.
“Once I arrived at the station, it was [apparent] that we had been broken into, and then it’s just a matter of straight on the phone to the police … do all of the notification that’s required, and wait for the police to come down.”
Mr Rhodes said it looked like there was forced entry to the rear door of the station through the backyard.
“You can sort of see where they’d jimmied the door … and used one of the remotes from the vehicles to get access,” he said.
He said that along with damage to the door, items stolen include a Milwaukee battery from an electric whipper snipper that was hanging on the wall and cleaning products.
“You’ve got the volunteer hours … the cameras … the hours of work that a few of us have missed … from being a volunteer organisation, it does take a toll, and it’s definitely not something anyone wants to go through.”
“If anyone did notice anything between the hours of … about midnight through to seven thirty , around that period, we’d love to know … but if any time any activity doesn’t seem right, call [the] police or the station number.
“‘We’re a volunteer organisation, in a pretty built up area of Melton South … you wouldn’t expect, but I guess it’s just the way of the world these days.”
Melton Police detective acting senior sergeant Bec Stokes confirmed that police are investigating the break-in and encouraged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on www.crimestoppersvic.com.au or call 1800 333 000.
