Stolen car leads to lockdown
The theft of a car from Warragul ended in a school lockdown and two arrests on Thursday.
Police said the vehicle was targeted by opportunistic thieves after the owner of the grey Toyota Hilux utility left his car running while inside a cafe in Queen St, Warragul at 6.40am.
The incident was the second in less than a week in which a car left running outside a shop was stolen.
The owner of the vehicle was inside the cafe, just four meters away, when he saw a male in an orange jumper reverse his car out of its parking bay and drive east along Queen St.
The victim's dog was inside the car, as was a quantity of cash and other valuables, including the victim's phone, which the victim used to track his car.
The Hilux was located by the owner and his partner, allegedly still being driven by the offenders.
Attempts to stop the vehicle by the owner were unsuccessful. The offenders allegedly then drove towards the Latrobe Valley.
The victim's dog was later located in Warragul unharmed.
The vehicle was located by police mid-afternoon in Northways Rd, Churchill, having collided with a tree.
After exiting the vehicle, two male occupants - a 29-year-old Warragul man and a 29-year-old Morwell man - ran through a nearby school, which was forced into lockdown until they were arrested by police.
Both men were arrested and charged by police.
The Warragul man was charged and bailed to face Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court at a later date, and the Morwell man was remanded in custody to appear in court at a later date.
The incident was the second opportunistic theft in four days. Last Monday, a blue LDV utility left running outside a bakery in Princes Way, Drouin was stolen and later found dumped in Bona Vista Rd, Warragul.
Police are urging vehicle owners to take care to avoid becoming the targets of opportunistic crimes by turning off vehicles and locking them before leaving them unoccupied.
It also is recommended drivers remove valuable times from vehicles and check all windows are wound up before leaving.