DNA, CCTV and Video Confession: Evidence Builds in Rye Murder Case

One of the accused in the deadly Rye home invasion that left two people dead is seeking bail, despite prosecutors citing DNA, CCTV, and a video confession as key evidence.
The latest crime news for Mornington Peninsula, Frankston and surrounding areas.

One of the accused in the deadly Rye home invasion that left two people dead is seeking bail, despite prosecutors citing DNA, CCTV, and a video confession as key evidence.

Police are searching for Jason Gittus, 55, who is wanted on warrant for burglary and drug-related offences. Last known in the Mornington and Frankston areas.

Police have uncovered a $3.6 million cannabis grow operation in Tooradin, seizing over 1,200 plants and arresting three men during a major drug raid on Hardys Road.

A Cheltenham factory has been exposed as a hub for 3D-printed gun manufacturing, with police seizing illegal firearms, drugs, cash and equipment. A 30-year-old Bentleigh East man faces 27 charges and will front Melbourne Magistrates’ Court in October.

A Frankston man faces court after parking in a disabled bay without a permit, while disqualified from driving and allegedly more than three times over the legal alcohol limit. Police impounded his car on the spot.

Police arrested 21 people in Frankston during a sweeping crackdown on knives, drugs and anti-social behaviour at the railway station and shopping precinct. More blitzes are planned, including the Mornington Peninsula.

A 17-year-old has been arrested following a machete incident that led to a chase and assault inside Frankston’s Bayside Shopping Centre. Police continue to search for four others involved.

Frankston police have charged three people after allegedly seizing 3D printed machine guns, handguns, and a stash of drugs including cocaine and meth during raids in Overport Park and at a local property.

A Somerville mother is in hospital and three young children were hurt after a hit-run crash on the Monash Freeway. The family, from Somerville and Seaford, were left devastated when the BMW driver fled.

The family of Jake Bradford says no sentence can heal their loss after Kayle Hansen was jailed for killing the 21-year-old Rosebud man.

Frankston Council has committed $10,000 to support Neighbourhood Watch, helping to strengthen community ties and crime prevention efforts across the city.

A former McClelland College teacher accused of child sexual offences remains on bail, with the case expanding as new complainants and hundreds of CCTV files emerge.

A former Mornington Peninsula landscaper has been jailed after scamming a 69-year-old Bittern pensioner out of nearly $200,000, leaving her destitute in her final years. The County Court heard Jarrad Garth exploited the woman’s trust, draining her savings to just $39 before her death.

Four teenagers have been charged after an alleged violent incident outside a Rosebud restaurant in March. Police are calling for witnesses and video footage.

A Hastings man has been charged with dangerous driving causing death after an illegally modified e-bike fatally struck local grandfather William Lothian on Frankston-Flinders Road.

Fake parking fines left on cars at Frankston’s new commuter car park spotlight a wider rise in deception crimes across Victoria, with police urging vigilance.

Two Melbourne lawyers are charged after allegedly submitting a fake medical certificate to Frankston Magistrates’ Court. Police say Zoe Davis and Rachelle Badour-Taha tried to mislead the court — and both have now lost their licences to practise law in Victoria.

Former AFL player Aaron James has been remanded after facing multiple charges at Frankston Magistrates’ Court, including sexual exposure and drug and theft offences.

Two men arrested after allegedly targeting a Porsche in a road rage incident in Seaford. Police pursuit ends with arrests in Aspendale.

Hayley Terei, 33, is wanted on warrant after failing to appear in court. Her bail was revoked following allegations of burglary and a false Aboriginal identity claim. Terei, who is known to frequent the Hastings, Frankston, and Heidelberg areas.

Victoria Police and Australian Border Force have uncovered an illegal weapons manufacturing and drug trafficking operation at a Cranbourne home, seizing firearms, imitation weapons, and methamphetamine.

A woman with three young children in the car allegedly caused two crashes in Somerville on Saturday, 21 June, while driving over the legal alcohol limit. Police are appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage.

Locals lead a snap protest at Victoria’s Parliament calling for urgent action over ongoing horse neglect at Maxine Fraser’s Mt Eliza property.

An 18-year-old probationary driver is expected to be charged after allegedly reaching speeds of 150km/h in Carrum Downs. Police say she also failed to display P-plates. Her vehicle was impounded as part of Operation Trinity.

A 60-year-old Burwood woman has allegedly been caught driving with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.210 during a random police operation at Safety Beach. Her licence was immediately suspended, and she is set to face court.

A coordinated police blitz along the Frankston railway line led to 25 arrests, including a Somerville man, as part of a broader crackdown on crime across Melbourne’s southeast.

Crime is up 24% in the Mornington Peninsula and 20% in Frankston, with theft and property offences among the top rising crimes, according to CSA data.

Victoria recorded a 10.2% increase in crime, with over 41,000 additional offences reported in the year

Frankston Police were left shaking their heads after 16 drug drivers and several reckless offenders were caught in a series of late-night traffic incidents.

Victoria Police are seeking community feedback through their annual sentiment survey. Mornington Peninsula residents are urged to participate before 30 June.

As World Elder Abuse Awareness Day approaches, Victoria Police are calling on older Victorians to speak up. Senior Constable Kim McKeown says it’s never too late to seek help, as police launch new support initiatives across aged care facilities.

Police have searched a Dandenong home in connection to the fatal Truganina house fire that killed 27-year-old Katie Tangey in January. The fire is believed to be a case of mistaken identity linked to the illicit tobacco trade.

Victoria Police detected over 6,000 traffic offences—including drink and drug driving—during Operation Regal over the King’s Birthday weekend. One in 16 drug drivers tested positive.

A 19-year-old P-plater from Frankston has been caught driving nearly double the speed limit on Boundary Road, Dingley Village. His licence was suspended on the spot and car impounded.

Eight people are currently wanted on warrant across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula. Police are calling on the public for help to locate them

Two men from Hastings have been charged over a string of ram raids across Melbourne’s south-east, including a break-in at a Dromana pharmacy. Police allege the pair targeted multiple businesses in a three-day crime spree.

Police seize explosives and drugs in Cranbourne raid, leading to woman's arrest. Investigation into theft continues. Call Crime Stoppers with info.

A Rosebud driver has lost his licence and had his car impounded after being caught with a blood alcohol level of 0.20 on the Mornington Peninsula. Police say the man will face court over the serious drink driving offence.

A Frankston man has been arrested after a three-week crime spree involving burglaries, vehicle thefts, and an attempted carjacking targeting Melbourne's southeast, including Frankston, Cranbourne, Carrum Downs, Langwarrin, Somerville and Mt Eliza.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested after a high-speed chase in a stolen Porsche in Moorooduc. The pursuit lasted nearly three hours and is part of Operation Trinity targeting youth crime and car thefts.

Police are appealing for information after a string of violent armed robberies at service stations across Melbourne’s south-east. At least ten locations were hit on the same night, with machete-wielding offenders stealing cash, cigarettes, and personal items.

A 33-year-old man from Caulfield North has had his e-scooter impounded by Somerville Highway Patrol after being caught riding at 50km/h on Nepean Highway, Mt Eliza. The high-powered scooter, capable of reaching 90km/h, was deemed illegal under Victorian road laws.

“We just felt sick,” says Erin, founder of Mornington Peninsula Dog Rescue, after discovering their now former treasurer had allegedly embezzled thousands. Now the community is helping the group get back on its feet.

Two teens — one from the Mornington Peninsula and the other from Greater Dandenong — have been charged after a dramatic four-hour pursuit involving stolen vehicles ended in Mount Eliza.

Victoria Police are investigating an attempted armed robbery aboard a Frankston-bound train on 23 March 2025. Public help is sought to identify a suspect seen exiting at Cheltenham Station.

A man and woman from Pakenham have been charged after Victoria Police located a homemade shotgun and ammunition during a May 2025 raid.

The Hastings man critically injured in a collision with an illegally modified e-bike has died. Police continue to investigate and say charges may be upgraded.

A former McClelland College science teacher has been charged with child sexual offences. The case is before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court. VIT registration cancelled.

A Hastings man is in a critical condition after being hit by an illegally modified e-bike on Frankston-Flinders Road. Police are investigating.

STPL News | Peninsula Local | Somerville Times Two Hastings men will appear before Frankston Magistrates’ Court next month, charged over a series of alleged break-ins across Seaford and Crib Point. The pair, both aged 39, were arrested after detectives…