By Chloe Kent
THERE’S a new sheriff in town tonight after local resident Billy Caddy and his dog Bluey helped arrest a youth offender on Sunday morning on Daryl Avenue.
It was major win for the Wonthaggi community, after a spate of youth vehicle crime has become more prominent in recent weeks – with local police doing everything in their power to combat the unwelcome rise.
In a whirlwind of chaos and bravery, the tranquil streets of Wonthaggi were shattered on Sunday morning by a stolen white Audi A1, igniting a series of events that united community members and local police.
The car, initially snatched from Sale, became the catalyst for a spree of offenses through the Latrobe Valley that culminated in a collision at the intersection of White Road and Wentworth Road, beside Wonthaggi North Primary School.
Eyewitnesses reported the stolen vehicle careening down Fullers Road in Wonthaggi at breakneck speeds minutes before the cacophony of screeching tires reached a crescendo as the Audi collided with the curb, inflicting significant damage.
But the drama didn’t end there. As bystanders rushed to assess the aftermath, a group of unidentified offenders fled from the scene, abandoning the car with its engine still running and disappearing into the nearby Wonthaggi Bushland Reserve. Their brazen escape was short-lived, however, as their trail of mischief led one of them straight into the arms of justice.
Enter Billy whose quick thinking and unwavering determination helped bring one of the perpetrators to justice. In an exclusive interview, Billy recounted the moments that led to him placing the cuffs on one of the offenders.
“I’d gone out to get my coffee,” Billy explained when he incurred the roadblock.
“It upset me because the traffic was blocked, and all I wanted was my coffee, but as I went to detour, I saw a young fella walking away and thought I wonder what he’s doing.”
Curious given the dramatic scenes that had unfolded at the intersection of Wentworth Road and White Road in North Wonthaggi, Billy followed.
“I went to the rear of the YMCA and here’s the four of them sitting there.
“I questioned them – ‘are you the four kids that knocked that car off,’ – and they denied it.
“I pursued it further and they ran off – I took that as guilt!”
Billy sprang into action giving chase with Bluey, however, the four-youth got away, and Billy headed back to the scene of the accident.
“I was conversing with the sergeant when a tip-off came through about a suspect being around the corner,” he recounted.
Not wanting the sergeant to go on his own, Billy joined the beat and headed round.
“I didn’t know who was around there so went to give him a hand. My own safety didn’t occur to me.”
Cornering the suspect on Daryl Avenue, the offender challenged the pair in a tense stand-off, before the sergeant managed to get the young male on the ground, and with the assistance of Billy, the cuffs went on the 16-year-old male offender.
“It was a good win for the people,” Billy stated, reflecting on the arrest.
“It felt good to get one of these kids. It’s a busy intersection with many elderly and children crossing. What would have happened if they had hit or killed someone?”
“We’re sick of this behaviour, it’s not welcome here.
“If we all stick together, we can get it beat,” Billy stated, noting that it was a community effort on Sunday morning.
Multiple local residents played crucial roles throughout the ordeal from roaming the streets to staying with the stolen vehicle, and these individuals deserve as much praise.
“We’d like to thank the local community for their assistance in surveillance and blocking – every one of them contributed to Sunday’s fantastic outcome that resulted in an arrest. It was an incredibly positive moment, and a proud moment, to have the community support,” Sergeant Ryan stated when asked for comment.
A 16-year-old from Traralgon was arrested and taken back to the police station where he was interviewed and released pending summons.
During the ordeal a bicycle had also been stolen by the offenders from the YMCA, but this was later located by police and returned to the owner.
Police from Cowes, Wonthaggi, San Remo and Foster attended the incident, along with the Crime Investigation Unit.
“It was good to help the police” Billy added. “They’re just one of us at the end of the day, busting their guts and doing what they can.”
Despite the morning’s events, Billy got his coffee – and best yet, it was free.
“I’d saved up all my cards for my 10th coffee at the North Store – a little delayed, but I got it!”
And as for the new sheriffs in town?
“If you want to bring that behaviour here, you’ll get apprehended!”