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Nothing sacred as cathedral, schools, businesses hit
Written by JACQUIE SCHWIND.
THOUSANDS of dollars in damage was racked up over the weekend as vandalism, break-ins and thefts were committed around Wangaratta and district.
Victims spanned the church, school, health, business and sporting communities, and the Wangaratta railway station and Wangaratta tip were also targeted.
Detective Leading Senior Constable Jason Bray from the Wangaratta Criminal Investigation Unit said the crime time frame extended from late Friday night to early Sunday morning.
Police suspect at least five of the crimes were committed by the same group of people, walking around Wangaratta.
Northeast Health Wangaratta’s Aged Psychiatry Service in Murdoch Road was broken into and $2500 worth of electronic items stolen, while a small amount of money was stolen from Kelly Country Fruit.
Windows and doors were smashed or forced open at other locations, while at Holy Trinity Cathedral, the tabernacle was damaged.
The cathedral’s repair bill is estimated at more than $2000.
The Dean, the Very Reverend Fr Michael O’Brien, said an attempt was made to enter the cathedral via one door and, when that was not successful, another door was broken to gain entry.
Offenders then tried unsuccessfully to force the tabernacle open.
"Basically the tabernacle is the place where communion bread is kept," Fr O’Brien said.
"Therefore it is of supreme importance to Christians.
"It is as secure as a safe but they were still able to do some superficial damage and it will cost about a couple of thousand (dollars) to repair."
Fr O’Brien said he regarded the crime as an attempt "to profane a sacred place" and described the offenders’ intent as desecration.
"The only obvious intent was to get at the blessed sacrament."
Galen College deputy principal, Geoff Welch, said more than $2000 damage was caused at his school.
"The main entrance office doors to Galen were broken with the use of fairly large rocks from the garden," Mr Welch said.
"Also a window was broken at one of the year nine classrooms.
"It’s very sad.
"The incidence of low level vandalism has increased a little in recent years."
Mr Welch said damaged areas were boarded up Monday morning and fixed on Tuesday.
People who observed suspicious behavior around any of the crime locations over the weekend are asked to ring Crime Stoppers, 1800 333000, or Wangaratta police station, 57230888.
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