Gang frees thief

By Rebecca Fraser
POLICE are hunting a gang of youths who freed a man caught trying to steal petrol.
The man was detained by a resident who saw him trying to siphon petrol from a car with a length of garden hose in Glenburn Avenue, Hallam.
The resident told police that he saw the attempted petrol theft and pursued the man along Kanumbra Court before catching him and taking him back to his home.
However, the resident said that a group of youths then came to his house and intimidated him into releasing his prisoner.
The incident was part of a spate of thefts and petrol siphoning from vehicles and properties in the area.
In their first raid, thieves stole an electronic hedge trimmer from a Kanumbra Court home between 11.30pm Saturday, 1 October and 12.30am on Sunday, 2 October.
Another two cars in Glenburn Avenue were also tampered with, and another car was found with its petrol cap removed and liquid on the ground.
Police also believe that a length of garden hose was also used to siphon petrol from one car.
The escaped man was described as Caucasian, aged in his early 20s, of thin build, between 5’5” and 5’6” feet tall with blonde hair and brown tips and was wearing blue jeans and a white long sleeve top.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact Narre Warren CIU on 9705 3111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.