A YOUNG driver and her two passengers escaped without serious injuries after they crashed into the ‘Welcome to Busselton’ sign yesterday morning.
The 18-year-old driver and her two male passengers aged 22 and 16 were travelling to Augusta from Perth when they hit the sign at 4am.
All three occupants escaped with minor cuts and abrasions.
Acting Senior Sergeant Wall believed speed may have been a factor in the accident.
“The occupants of the car were breath tested and returned negative results, so we think it possibly came down to unfamiliarity with the road combined with travelling too fast,” he said.
The car veered off the Busselton Bypass coming on to the Causeway Road roundabout on to wood chips on the island before colliding with the welcome sign.
Police made a number of arrests over the week, with two arrests made due to forensic evidence.
A 30-year-old Busselton man was charged with burglary with the intent to steal after police located him via DNA evidence.
The man was charged after he allegedly smashed a window on a local op shop in December.
A 28-year-old Geogra-phe man was charged with burglary and stealing after he allegedly forced his way into a Greenfields home, stealing electronic items and jewellery.
Police used a finger print found at the scene to locate the alleged burglar.
A 27-year-old Busselton man was charged following an alleged burglary in Rockingham.
It is believed the man smashed windows on two cars before breaking into a house and smashing a television. He has been charged with aggravated burglary and three counts of damage.
Two juveniles have been charged with five counts of stealing and giving false particulars to police each following a series of thefts from local shops last Tuesday.
It is alleged the two 16-year-old boys travelled to Busselton on the Runaway Bus before stealing three skateboards and other items to the value of $918. They will appear in the Busselton Children’s Court on February 12.
Senior Constable Larsen advised shop owners to crack down on people with backpacks in their stores.
“Utilise your powers to search bags, or insist backpacks are left outside the shop,” he said.
Two youths were apprehended and issued drug possession charges after they were found with over 150g of cannabis.
The 15 and 16 year olds were also charged with possessing a smoking implement when City of Busselton rangers came across them on Peel Terrace on Thursday evening. They were referred to the juvenile justice team.
A Marine Terrace home was broken into on Saturday. Alcohol was taken from the fridge and a fishing rod, tackle and blue bag were taken from an open shed.
Burglars attempted, but failed, to force the rear roller door of Cape Cellars on Bussell Highway on Friday night.
Police received 14 reports of cars being broken into over the weekend, with the thieves targeting caravan parks.
Three cars were broken into at Amblin Caravan Park, another three at the Peppermint Park Eco Village and one at Busselton Villas Caravan Park.
Five other cars were broken into while parked outside houses in Abbey, Busselton and West Busselton.
A custom made trailer with the registration plate 1TKT497 was stolen from a Belltonia Way property in Vasse just before 1.30am on Saturday.
The silver trailer was loaded with property at the time of its theft.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Busselton Police on 9754 9555 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
