10/06/2026
👮♂️ ST ARNAUD & YARRIAMBIACK CLUSTER – COMMUNITY UPDATE
11 June 2026
Welcome to the thirteenth Community Update for 2026 from the St Arnaud and Yarriambiack Police Cluster.
This post aims to provide general information and raise community awareness. If you have information about any of the incidents below, please report it directly to police or anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Please note: Not all criminal and traffic-related incidents are included in this update due to operational requirements.
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🔍 RECENT CRIME INCIDENTS – COMMUNITY AWARENESS
📍 St Arnaud & Surrounds
Registration Plate Thefts
• A rear registration plate was stolen from a vehicle parked at a Charlton Road, St Arnaud property between 21 and 22 May 2026.
• A registration plate was also stolen from a vehicle parked at a property on Hodgson Road, Swanwater between 23 and 24 May 2026.
Attempted Burglary
Between 31 May and 6 June 2026, offender(s) attempted to gain entry to a vacant premises on Kings Avenue, St Arnaud. No items were reported stolen.
Letterbox Theft
Keys were stolen from a letterbox on McMahon Street, St Arnaud between 9:45am and 5:00pm on 5 June 2026 after being left for collection.
Fail to Stop for Police
At approximately 11:10am on 1 June 2026, police attempted to intercept a blue Nissan utility displaying false registration plates on the St Arnaud–Donald Road. The vehicle failed to stop and drove off at speed.
A second police unit also attempted to intercept the vehicle; however, it again failed to stop. Following further investigation, police have identified the vehicle and driver. Police are seeking to speak with a Donald man in relation to this incident.
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📍 Warracknabeal
Theft
On 22 May 2026 at approximately 3:20am, a male and female offender were observed rummaging through items at the rear of a business on Scott Street, Warracknabeal. A toolbox containing various hand tools was stolen.
Attempted Burglary
On 4 June 2026 at approximately 7:00am, a male offender was disturbed by the victim while attempting to gain entry to both a vehicle and a residence on Woolcock Street, Warracknabeal.
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🚙👨👩👧👦 TRAFFIC MATTERS
Drug Driver Detected – Dundas Street, St Arnaud
On 29 May 2026 at approximately 12:25pm, St Arnaud Police intercepted a 34-year-old Charlton man on Dundas Street.
A preliminary oral fluid test allegedly indicated the presence of a drug of dependence. The man was conveyed to St Arnaud Police Station, where an evidentiary oral fluid test returned a positive result for methylamphetamine or M**A. The sample will be sent for laboratory confirmation.
The driver received an immediate 24-hour driving prohibition and is expected to be summonsed to court for the alleged offending.
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⚠️ CRIME PREVENTION ADVICE
🔩 Fit Anti-Theft Screws to Your Number Plates
Stolen number plates are commonly used by offenders to avoid detection when committing offences such as petrol theft, burglary and other criminal activity.
Protect yourself from inconvenience and replacement costs by securing your plates with one-way anti-theft screws, which can be installed using a standard flat-blade screwdriver. These screws are available from most hardware stores.
🚗 Where possible, park your vehicle in a secure location such as a garage or carport.
