Three on blackmail charges

THREE people have been charged with blackmail and extortion.
The charges follow incidents in which two families in Devon Meadows and Gembrook were hit for $200,000 each.
Police arrested Kara Balog, 35, at her home in Stratford following a joint operation between Cranbourne Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) and the Tactical Response Squad (TRS). Balog was charged with extortion, blackmail and threats to kill.
She was bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 30 June.
Jim Tsitas, 39, of Grovedale, was charged with extortion, blackmail, threats to kill and possessing ammunition and weapons.
Steven Litherland, 30, of Corio, was charged with extortion, blackmail, threats to kill, possessing ammunition and weapons and drugs charges. Both men were bailed to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 30 June.