Eyewatch - Northern Grampians Police Service Area

More than 170 aspiring police have expressed interest in completing training at Mildura's new regional academy.

The strong response over the last week comes as we prepare for the academy's first classes in January next year.

The new regional academy means for the first time ever recruits will be able to complete their entire police training without having to travel to Melbourne, in the hopes of opening up a police career to those who've never been able to pursue one before.

Training will mirror the 25-week program delivered at the Victoria Police Academy in Glen Waverley. Recruits will graduate in a local ceremony at Mildura and be deployed to positions in the Mallee region.

It's not too late to register your interest, find all the details: https://www.police.vic.gov.au/170-express-interest-new-regional-academy

Have you ever considered a career with Victoria Police?

Join us for our upcoming Ararat community information session, to learn what it takes to become a Police Officer and explore an exciting and rewarding career path.

📅 Date: Sunday, 21 June – 11.00 AM to 2.00 PM
📍 Location: Alexandra Community Oval, Ararat
🎟️ Cost: Free (registration required via Eventbrite) https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/1988880969519?aff=oddtdtcreator

What you’ll learn:
• The role and responsibilities of a Police Officer
• The recruitment process and entry requirements
• Training at the Police Academy
• What life is really like working in Victoria Police

You’ll also have the chance to ask questions directly and get firsthand insights into policing as a career.

👉 Register now via the Eventbrite link to secure your spot!

Investigations ongoing - Request for information

Police are investigating an alleged assault which occurred at a football match in Ararat on 13 June.

Investigators have been told a number of people were involved in an altercation at Alexandra Oval, approximately 4pm.

Police attended and spoke to a number of witnesses and the investigation into the incident is ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has footage or any information is urged to contact the Ararat Police Station, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Local sport is vital to community connectedness and cohesion. Whether you are a spectator, player, or official, you have a role to play in contributing to a safe and respectful experience for yourself and others.

Victoria Police take all reports of violent, threatening, or anti-social behaviour seriously and will fully investigate any matters whether they occur at local sporting events or elsewhere in the community.

👮‍♂️ ST ARNAUD & YARRIAMBIACK CLUSTER – COMMUNITY UPDATE
📅 19 June 2026

Welcome to the fourteenth Community Update for 2026 from the St Arnaud and Yarriambiack Police Cluster.

This update 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: Due to operational requirements, not all criminal and traffic-related incidents are included in this update.
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🔍 RECENT CRIME INCIDENTS – COMMUNITY AWARENESS

📍 St Arnaud & Surrounds
SPORTING CLUB BURGLARY
Police are investigating a burglary at a sporting club on Burke Street, St Arnaud, and are appealing for public assistance.

It is believed an unknown male attended the premises overnight on 10 June 2026, entering the building at approximately 4:06am, before returning again at approximately 7:18am.

A number of items were allegedly stolen during the incident.
Investigators are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area at the time, or who has CCTV, dashcam, or other footage that could assist.

Anyone with information is urged to contact St Arnaud Police Station or report confidentially via Crime Stoppers.
If you have information, no matter how small, please come forward.

🚲THEFT OF BICYCLE
A 58-year-old St Arnaud man has been charged on summons following the theft of a child’s pushbike.

Police will allege the man stole the bicycle from the front of a premises on Napier Street, St Arnaud on 31 May 2026.

Police attended the alleged offender’s address later that same day, where the bicycle was recovered and returned to its owner.

The man has been summoned to appear at the St Arnaud Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
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📍 Murtoa
ATTEMPTED BURGLARY
Police are investigating an attempted burglary at a business on McDonald Street, Murtoa.

It is believed an unknown person attempted to pry open a rear door of the premises overnight on 11 June 2026, causing damage.

Police are keen to speak with anyone who may have seen suspicious activity in the area, or who may have CCTV, dashcam, or other footage from around the time of the incident.

📍 Warracknabeal
SEARCH WARRANT EXECUTED
On 11 June 2026, Warracknabeal Police, with assistance from specialist units, executed a search warrant at a local address as part of an investigation into a series of thefts from a business on Scott Street, Warracknabeal.

During the warrant, police located and recovered a quantity of stolen property.

A 44-year-old Warracknabeal man has since been charged in relation to the alleged offending. He was bailed to appear before the Horsham Magistrates’ Court at a later date.
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🚙👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 TRAFFIC MATTERS

DRUG DRIVER DETECTED – KINGS AVE, ST ARNAUD
At approximately 7:20pm on 11 June 2026, St Arnaud Police intercepted a 36-year-old Horsham man on Kings Avenue.

A preliminary oral fluid test indicated the presence of a drug of dependence. The driver 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 now undergo laboratory analysis for confirmation.

The driver received an immediate 24-hour driving prohibition and is expected to be summonsed to court at a later date.

CAR ACCIDENT – ST ARNAUD
Police and emergency services attended a single-vehicle collision on Charlton–St Arnaud Road at approximately 5:40am on Tuesday 9 June 2026.

It is believed a 25-year-old female driver swerved to avoid a kangaroo before colliding with a tree.

The driver was conveyed to Bendigo Hospital for assessment.

🚨 6 MONTH LICENCE SUSPENSION
A 57-year-old Gisborne man will be off the road for six months after allegedly being detected travelling at excessive speed.

Police observed the vehicle travelling at an alleged 138km/h in a 100km/h zone on Banyena Road, St Arnaud North, on Monday 15 June 2026.

The driver will receive a 6-month licence suspension (effective after 28 days) and was issued a $763 penalty notice.

🚨 SPEED ENFORCEMENT – SUNRAYSIA HIGHWAY
At approximately 2:30pm on Wednesday 17 June 2026, a motorist from near Ballarat was detected travelling towards St Arnaud on the Sunraysia Highway at Swanwater at an alleged speed of 139km/h in a 100km/h zone.

Police intercepted the vehicle, and the driver was issued a $763 penalty notice and will receive a 6-month licence suspension (effective after 28 days).

Speeding continues to be a major contributor to serious injury and fatal collisions on our roads.
Slow down and stick to the limit — it’s simply not worth the risk.

📢 HAVE YOUR SAY – VICTORIA POLICE COMMUNITY SENTIMENT SURVEY 2026

Victoria Police want to hear from you.

The Community Sentiment Survey 2026 is now open, giving all Victorians the opportunity to share their views on community safety, policing priorities, and how you’d prefer to engage with police.

Your feedback helps shape the Neighbourhood Policing Framework and guides where efforts should be focused to keep communities safe.

✅ Open to anyone who lives, works, or socialises in Victoria
✅ Completely anonymous
✅ Quick and easy to complete
📅 Closes: Monday 30 June 2026

👉 Download the survey via the Engage Victoria website.

Hard copy versions (including easy-to-read format) are available at St Arnaud Police Station.

Your voice matters — don’t miss the chance to be heard.

LOST AND FOUND

Police have located some property on the Western Highway near Langi Ghiran State Park.

If you recognise any of this property, contact the Ararat Police Station on 5355 1500 and quote reference number 202606-W-0753. Proof of ownership will be required to obtain the property.

APPEAL FOR WITNESSES / DASHCAM FOOTAGE

On Tuesday the 9th of June at 8:46PM on the corner of Nott Road and Kennedy Street in Ararat, a collision has occurred involving a motorbike.

Northern Grampians Highway Patrol are looking for any witnesses, information or dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with information Please contact First Constable SCHEITNER of Northern Grampians Highway Patrol.

Do you know this person?

Police are investigating an incident that occurred in Woolcock Street, Warracknabeal at approximately 7:00AM on the 4th of June 2026.

Police are seeking to identify a man who may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Anyone who believes they know the identity of the man in the image below is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Stawell Police are looking for the owner of some property handed into the Stawell Police Station on the 5th of June 2026. The property was located near the Sisters Rock on the Western Highway.

The property is described as:

1x pair of Turtle Beach Headphones
1x Samsung Tablet

If you believe this is your property, please attend the Stawell Police Station with proof of ownership. You may also be asked to describe the lockscreen of the tablet.

“Police are investigating an incident that occurred in Woolcock Street, Warracknabeal at approximately 7:00am on the 4th of June 2026.
Police are seeking to identify a man who may be able to assist with their enquiries.
Anyone who believes they know the identity of the man in the image is encouraged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000”

🚨 Seeking Owner 🚨
Police are seeking the owner of a White Arlo CCTV Camera found at Rundell Street in Ararat on 09/06/2026.

If you believe this property belongs to you, please contact the Property Officer at Ararat Police Station on 03 5355 1500 and quote reference number: 202606-W-0650

Proof of ownership will be required.