Eyewatch - Ballarat Police Service Area

28/08/2026

On the 29th of April 2026, the Ballarat DRU commenced an investigation into the use of illegal shooting in the greater Ballarat area.

On the 12th of August 2026, a 25-year-old male from Smythes Creek was arrested and charged for possessing a firearm in contradiction to a firearm prohibition order.

The male was also charged with:

▪ Prohibited person possess firearm
▪Theft of Motor Vehicle x 2
▪ Commit indicatable offence whilst on bail
▪ Fail to update address as per firearm prohibition obligations

On the 13th of August 2026, the male was subsequently remanded at Ballarat Magistrate’s Court.

Further enquiries were undertaken by police and on the 26th of August 2026, a search warrant was executed at a rural property in Ross Creek, with the assistance of the Victoria Police Canine Unit.

Nexus evidence was located at the scene with the investigation seizing a large number of exhibits, including:

▪2 x stolen vehicles
▪A sawn-off shotgun
▪A quantity of shotgun shells
▪Several bags of cannabis
▪A large quantity of methyl-amphetamine
▪A vehicle diagnostic scan tool
▪Several prohibited and controlled weapons

The investigation team would especially like to thank the many community members for their assistance and for those who provided valuable information to police.

28/08/2026

“It’s a shocking feeling when your hard-earned money has gone.”

Mannu thought he was paying his builder. Instead, scammers stole his $20,000 deposit.

Stories like Mannu’s are a reminder that scammers can target everyday transactions when we least expect it.

Every story shared could help protect another person.

No one’s just a number.

27/08/2026

On Friday August 21st, members from the Ballarat CIU and DRU executed a search warrant at a residential premises in Mitchell Park.

Detectives located a Kia Cerato in the driveway, which had previously been stolen from the suburb of Bonshaw on the 19th of August.

Two residents, a 32-year-old male and a 33-year-old male were both arrested and transported to the Ballarat Police Station for interview.

The 32-year-old male was charged with:

▪Theft of motor vehicle
▪Possess cannabis
▪Possess prohibited weapon

The 33-year-old male was released pending enquires and is expected to be charged with:

▪Theft of a motor vehicle
▪ Handle stolen goods

This incident is another example of the dedication our members have to investigate, identify and locate high volume crime offenders and hold them to account.

26/08/2026

On Tuesday August 25th, Avoca police were conducting traffic patrols on when they detected a vehicle travelling at only 25 km/h in Avoca at about 9pm.

Police followed the vehicle, which eventually increased its speed. The vehicle was detected travelling at 139 km/h in a 100 km/h zone.

Police will allege when intercepted, the 23-year-old male driver from Glen Waverley produced an expired licence and further enquiries revealed he was the holder of a Victorian Learners Permit, yet driving without a supervising driver beside him.

The male was issued with infringements totalling $2248 and his learners permit will be suspended for a period of 6 months.

26/08/2026

🚨🚨 Warrant Wednesday 🚨🚨

Ballarat Police are seeking information in relation to the current whereabouts of those pictured below.

Each has one or more outstanding arrest warrants for failing to appear at Court and they are all known to frequent the Ballarat area.

If you have any information in relation to their current whereabouts, we urge you to submit a confidential online report via your smartphone 👇🏼

https://www.crimestoppersvic.com.au/report-a-crime

26/08/2026

On this day, one year ago, two of our colleagues were tragically killed in the line of duty.

Today, and every day, we remember Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart and the tragedy that occurred in Porepunkah on 26 August 2025.

We thank everyone for their support and solidarity on this difficult day.

We will remember them.

25/08/2026

On Monday the 17th of August, Detectives from Ballarat CIU executed a search warrant at a residential address in Humffray Street North, Brown Hill.

A search of a motor vehicle outside the front of the premises uncovered 2 fi****ms.

A subsequent search of the residence resulted in the recovery of the following items:

▪4 x Stolen motor vehicles
▪1 x Jayco Caravan
▪1 x Stolen dish washer,
▪Ammunition
▪An amount of 1, 4 butanediol

On Tuesday the 18th of August, Detectives executed a second search warrant at an address in Clayton Street Canadian, where they recovered a stolen Kawasaki motorbike.

As a result, a 19-year-old female and a 37-year-old male from the Humffray Street North address were arrested and transported to the Ballarat Police Station for interview.

The 19-year-old female was charged with:

▪Theft of motor vehicle x 2
▪Possess 1, 4 butanediol
▪Unlicensed possess longarm
▪Possess ammunition without a permit

The 37-year-old male was charged with:

▪Possess trafficable quantity of fi****ms
▪Possess proceeds of crime
▪Theft of motor vehicle
▪Possess 1, 4 butanediol
▪Possess ammunition without a permit
▪Commit indictable offence whilst on bail

Both parties will appear at the Ballarat Magistrates Court at a later date.

25/08/2026

A man has been arrested following an alleged fatal hit-run collision in Canadian last week.

It's alleged a green Ford Fiesta struck a 51-year-old Canadian man on Butt Street just after midnight on Monday 17 August.

The man died at the scene.

The Ford, which was allegedly not displaying registration plates, was located nearby on Elsworth Street.

A 38-year-old Ballarat East man presented at a police station yesterday afternoon.

He was interviewed by Major Collision Investigation Unit detectives and charged with several offences including culpable driving, dangerous driving causing death, driving whilst disqualified, failing to stop and failing to render assistance.

He was remanded to appear before Ballarat Magistrates’ Court later today.

It is alleged a green Ford Fiesta struck a 51-year-old Canadian man on Butt Street just after midnight on Monday 17 August.

25/08/2026

A text. A phone call. A code.

That’s all it took for scammers to steal enough money from Lindy to leave her in debt.

“They rush you through it and make you panic.”

Behind every scam report is a real person and a real story.

No one’s just a number.

24/08/2026

Think you’d spot a scam? So did thousands of Australians.

More than 270,000 people fell victim to scams across Australia last year, so we’re urging everyone to:
🛑 Stop. Take a moment before giving your money or personal information to anyone.
👀 Check. Is the person or organisation you’re dealing with legit?
🔐 Protect. Act quickly if something feels wrong.

It’s worth just checking.