POLICE BEAT
WITH SNR CONSTABLE PAUL CAMPBELL

THREE youths were apprehended following a complaint of vandalism and stealing at the Palmwoods Swimming Pool. Numerous glass bottles were thrown into the pool precinct resulting in a large amount of broken glass in the pool area and plant room. In the same incident, the Tropico Juice Factory office was broken into and a vending smashing smashed open. As well as the contents being stolen, $2000 damage was caused to the machine. Two of the three youths apprehended by Palmwoods police were local. They readily admitted to causing the vandalism at the pool and at Tropico. Police investigations by Juvenile Aid will continue.

A LOCAL woman was injured on Taintons Road near the water tower after her purebred Arab stallion became agitated. She dismounted and was then knocked to the ground by the stallion. Her hands were caught in the reins and she was dragged approximately 200 metres causing multiple injuries. Resident Ken Andrews, who had experience with breaking in horses, tried to settle the horse, but the stallion reared up and knocked him to the ground, causing a deep gash to his forehead. After combined efforts by a number of people, the horse eventually ran back to its holding yard where the owner’s fiance put it back into its pen. The woman, who was lucky not to be more seriously injured, was taken to hospital.

A NINE year old girl walking home alone from school along Dunning Street was offered a ride by a male person in his 20s pulled driving a bronze small sedan with damage to the front left hand side. When the girl declined, the male alighted from his vehicle. The girl ran off and the male person got back into his car and drove off. He is described as being in his early 20s, approx 160cm tall, slim build with a tan complexion and brown shoulder length hair tied back. A bronze 929 Mazda sedan approx 1976 model, was seen acting suspiciously in the area. No registration or description of the driver was available. However any further information should be phoned to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

THERE have been a number of assaults at the Palmwoods Hotel. A local man was injured when he was king hit by an out of town patron. As he fell he suffered a severe facture to his ankle. The identity of the offender is still unknown but investigations are continuing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Palmwoods police.

EUDLO and Chevallum Schools have been targeted by thieves who appear to be part of an organised crime ring in the theft of ride-on mowers and garden equipment. Mowers were stolen from both schools on the same night and Eudlo also lost a whipper snipper. This is a growing problem across the State where thieves are targeting schools. If anyone has any information or has seen a vehicle carrying ride-on mowers outside of school hours, they are asked to call Crime Stoppers or the local police.

IN a separate incident, vandals struck at Chevallum School damaging plants and the new entrance area. The incident caused great concern for the school which is working towards the Tidy Schools competition.

SCHOOL crossing zones in the area are still causing concern to the controllers, with a number of vehicles still speeding through the designated speed zones. Residents will have noticed that the speed gun is being used in these areas so motorists are warned to observe the speed limits at all times.

THERE has been a spate of road accidents in the Palmwoods area. Two drivers have been arrested for having a blood alcohol content of more than four times the legal limit.