A Shepparton man has been charged after allegedly going on an abusive rampage through Cobram’s business precinct at the weekend.
Early Sunday morning, police responded to calls that a young adult male was harassing staff members in stores along Main St.
With the assistance of CCTV footage and witnesses, police say they have been able to trace the man’s movements in the hours leading to his arrest.
After arriving in Cobram around 3am in a taxi from Yarrawonga, the man entered McDonald’s on Main St, where police allege he demanded money from the manager.
The man then left McDonald’s on foot and entered Bakers Delight on Punt Rd, where police allege he verbally threatened staff and caused property damage.
After leaving Bakers Delight, the man then travelled to the rear loading bay of Woolworths on Punt Rd.
Police say that after verbally abusing staff there, he then travelled to the Powercor depot on Dillon St.
Police allege that while at the depot, the man caused significant property damage to the company’s fleet of trucks and to one employee’s ute.
Initial police estimates put the damage to Powercor’s vehicle fleet to be worth between $40,000 and $50,000.
Nobody was injured at any of the businesses.
A man, 19, was arrested by Cobram police near the intersection of Station and Main Sts around 5.30am.
The man faces multiple charges, including aggravated burglary, criminal damage, making threats to kill and trespass.
Police say the man was intoxicated at the time of his arrest.
Cobram Detective Senior Constable Kim Sneddon said the Cobram community needed to feel safe at all times.
“This type of behaviour will not be tolerated by police,” Det Sen Constable Sneddon said.
“This certainly was an unsettling incident for the members of the public, who were at their respective workplaces at the time.
“With the assistance of witnesses, we were able to ensure the prompt arrest of the male, who was located nearby.”
The man is now on bail and set to appear for mention before Cobram Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, December 18.
Police are asking anyone who may have seen the suspect arrive in Cobram on Sunday morning to please ring Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.