By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A MAN alleged to have stalked his Pakenham-based ex-partner and children protected by family violence intervention orders has been remanded in custody following a comprehensive police investigation.
His arrest forms part of the growing number of family violence arrests being undertaken by the beefed up Cardinia Family Violence Unit.
The protracted investigation carried out by the police region’s specialised taskforce led to the arrest of the 45-year-old Narre Warren man in mid-January.
His arrest hinged on evidence gathered by CCTV surveillance cameras captured at public transport sites including bus and train stations which show the man travelling to areas legally prohibited to him as a result of ongoing intervention orders.
Police alleged the man, who currently has two active intervention orders against him – one protecting three people – stalked his victims living in Pakenham.
CCTV footage installed outside the victims’ family home will also be used as evidence against the man in addition to witness statements during his second upcoming court hearing scheduled for Tuesday 1 March.
Police searched the man’s property after his arrest, seizing various items including maps outlining the location of protected victims and electronic equipment such as computers.
Pakenham police Senior Sergeant Graeme Stanley said the man had been assessed a high risk, recidivist offender with a criminal history of similar offending.
“Since 2014, he has had a long history of contravening family violence orders,” he said.
“Police were able to track his movements over different suburbs through CCTV at different train stations and bus depots.
“The footage helped put him in alleged areas where the breaches and stalking occurred.
“Witnesses also provided positive identification for the man who has distinctive features and would always wear the same clothing.
“Investigators even door knocked the route he allegedly took to get to prohibited locations.”
Cardinia’s Family Violence Unit was boosted with two additional members over the Christmas period.
Detected increases in family violence breaches have near doubled since the holiday period, with police arresting 32 alleged family violence offenders in December and 33 in January.
Sen Sgt Stanley expects arrests to continue at the same rate as additional resources provided to the unit to better investigate family violence offenders.
“This type of investigation is becoming commonplace. The unit is proactive in conducting these types of longer investigations with additional resources,” he said.
The man, who has been remanded in custody since his out-of-sessions court hearing on the day of his arrest on Monday 11 January, will face stalking charges in addition to several breach of intervention order offences.
Since 2011, the man has had 10 family violence intervention orders filed against him.
Police said they all involved family members or those known to him in the Cardinia Shire region.
