‘Scum’ slammed

By Bridget Cook
PEARCEDALE CFA has been flooded with generous donations after “low-life scum” raided their fire station while its members attended a fatal car smash.
When the volunteer firefighters returned to their headquarters about 6am on Monday they found that their owns cars and the building had been broken into.
Four GPS units, a laptop, two portable, handheld UHF radios and other tools were stolen – about $5000 worth of equipment.
The robbery occurred sometime between 1.30am and 6am while the firefighters were assisting at a crash in Somerville in which one man died and two injured men were taken to The Alfred hospital.
Pearcedale CFA Captain Kevin Sullivan said he was disgusted at the ‘low act’.
“You couldn’t print what I really think about this,” he said.
“It’s a despicable act, it really is. It must have been real a low-life to do such a thing.
“We were out there helping the community doing what we do best, and I must say we do it very well, and we get these low-life scum come and do this.
“It’s just wrong.”
Mr Sullivan said, however, that he was overwhelmed with the support members had received from the local community since the incident.
He said the brigade had received cash and cheque donations, prizes and goods for them to use as fundraiser prizes and one man had offered to replace the four GPS units.
“It’s been overwhelming,” he said.
“It proves that there are plenty of good people out there. It’s great that so many people think as much of us as they do. It’s made my day.
“My faith in the community as a whole was never dented over this; it was just one thief that had to spoil it.”
At Tuesday night’s Casey council meeting, councillors Kevin Bradford and Geoff Ablett allocated $500 each of their ward’s funds to go to the Pearcedale CFA for the purchase of new equipment.
“Some lowlife broke into the Pearcedale CFA whilst the crew were attending a serious car accident performing a most honourable duty,” Cr Bradford said. Mr Sullivan said while members could replace everything that was stolen, some family would not be able to replace the life lost in the fatal collision.
“I feel sorry for the family of friends of that person,” he said,
“All I can do now is urge people to slow down and take care on the roads.”
Casey Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) is currently investigating the crime.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Casey CIU on 9705 3111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.