Louts warned on vandalism

By Paul Dunlop
VANDALS set fire to a school bin, a car windscreen was smashed and a concrete block was thrown through the front window of a house in Pakenham on Saturday night.
The string of incidents, which police believe may not be connected, have prompted a warning that thuggish behaviour will not be tolerated.
Acting Senior Sergeant Phil Jury said police were investigating and urged residents to be on the alert for any suspicious behaviour in their area.
Act Sen Sgt Jury said the fire in the garbage refuse area at Pakenham Hills Primary School was only of nuisance value but warned it could have been much worse.
The concrete block was thrown through the window of a house on the Princes Highway while the car that had its windscreen smashed was parked in Leigh Drive.
The bathroom window of a house in Willowlake Pocket, in the Lakeside estate across town, was also smashed on Saturday night.
The incidents appeared to be mostly mindless vandalism, police said.
Act Sen Sgt Jury said the spate of criminal damage emphasised the importance of people keeping their homes locked and cars safely parked and secure at night.
Mobile phones, wallets, sunglasses and CD players have all proved to be prize targets for opportunistic thieves if left in cars.
Police repeated warnings not to leave valuables sitting on car seats or on dashboards.
Police are also investigating a burglary at a shop in the central business district last Wednesday in which thieves stole cigarettes after smashing the glass front door.
Police said the John Street shop was burgled about 5.30am.
Two men were seen leaving the building.
Act Sen Sgt Jury said police wanted to hear from anybody who could provide further information.
Police said the thieves backed a car up to the shop front and gained entry after throwing a large rock through the glass door.
Anybody who may have seen the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.