Sgt Steve Marshall of Corowa Police says recent road deaths in the area have taken their toll on local staff.
According to Corowa sergeant, Steve Marshall, last week was the most traumatic week he’d ever been exposed to, in 32 years of policing.
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Three people died in road crashes on Spring Drive near Mulwala on January 28, and at Rand on January 24, pushing the local police force to their limits.
Sgt Marshall said the three fatalities in one week were more than the number of road deaths in the Corowa district for the whole of 2025 and police were not immune to the impact of dealing with tragedy.
He said a chaplain and a mental health clinician were attending the station this week to help staff deal with the deaths.
Corowa Police have also been dealing with a spate of break-ins, thefts and vandalism adding to a trying period for the local constabulary.
On Thursday morning last week, at about 3:30am, break-ins happened at Woolworths and Corowa Take Away in Sanger St.
Sgt Marshall said video footage captured a man dressed in all black, wearing a hoodie, gloves and face mask forcing entry to Woolworths.
“The suspect was caught on camera leaving southbound down Sanger St in what we believe was a 200 Series Toyota Landcruiser,” he said.
“The vehicle was located in Albury on Sunday completely burnt out.”
The front entrance to Woolworths, on Sanger St, was damaged, and limited entry for customers the next day to only the back doors, on Queen St.
The shopfront of Corowa Take Away was also damaged, although it isn’t known if anything was taken.
Police believe the perpetrator was targeting cash and cigarettes.
A spate of thefts and vandalism has added to a busy start to the year for Corowa’s police.
On January 27, Corowa man Matthew Mills was arrested and held without bail for a spate of stealing and trespass offences revolving around the theft of mail.
Mr Mills plead guilty and was sentenced to eight months in prison, with a four-month non-parole period.
On Sunday night, a 35-year-old Corowa man was arrested and held without bail for vandalizing the Corowa Police Station.
He was caught smashing the station’s balustrade for the second time and trying to remove the Australian flag.
The man had previously vandalized the station on January 27.
The recent spate of crime and road traffic incidents has left police spread thin, however, they are expecting reinforcements on February 16.
“I’m looking forward to when we get our new staff members,” Sgt Marshall said.
“We get one for Howlong, and two for Corowa; it will make a huge difference.”
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