Two serious offences under investigation by the Crime Investigation Unit
A TROUBLING snapshot of crime in Greater Shepparton has emerged following research undertaken by Astor Legal, which reveals a staggering 8,843 reported incidents of crime over the past year in the Local Government Area (LGA). According to data analysed from the Crime Statistics Agency, Greater Shepparton ranks as the eighth-highest LGA for crime rates in Victoria, based on the number of crimes per 100,000 people.
Concerningly, the data has revealed the top five most common offences in Greater Shepparton with the most notable being a breach of family violence order with 732 incidents. This is followed by criminal damage, 580 incidents, breach of bail conditions 491 incidents, stealing from a motor vehicle, 433 incidents and other theft, 423 incidents. Additionally, serious assaults related to family violence and drug trafficking are also pronounced.
A case in point of these disturbing statistics occurred early on October 21 in Shepparton, where offenders allegedly forcibly entered a home on Community Street, assaulting a 41-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman. Both occupants were hospitalised with non-life-threatening injuries. The Shepparton Crime Investigation Unit is looking into the incident as well as another serious offence that took place on September 30 where two masked men entered a store on Benalla Road around 9.40 PM.
One of the men was armed with a firearm while the other wielded a knife. They threatened the female attendants and demanded cash, filling a duffel bag with money and cigarettes before fleeing in a dark Ford Falcon sedan with false plates. Fortunately, the attendants were unharmed.
Authorities have released CCTV images to aid the investigation. You can view the footage here: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/s3MfKMXIWM
The first suspect is described as Caucasian, around 170 cm tall, wearing a black hoodie with white writing and cream shoes. The second suspect is of solid build, dressed similarly in dark clothing.
If you have any information relating to this incident, please alert local authorities or contact Crime Stoppers as soon as possible on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
To find out more about the reported crime rates in Greater Shepparton (and across the state) over the past year, head to https://astorlegal.com.au/common-crimes-victoria-edition/
