A Trafalgar priest is in hospital after being assaulted and robbed early yesterday morning.

St John’s Catholic Church priest Fr Bernie Krotwaar, 64, was making his breakfast when a man allegedly smashed a window, broke into his home and assaulted him before stealing his car.

Police described it as a “very violent aggravated burglary and assault.”

Baw Baw CIU detectives later arrested a 31-year-old man who was remanded to appear at Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court today.

The man, of no fixed address, was charged with a string of offences relating to a number of burglaries in Warragul before the aggravated burglary in Trafalgar.

It is alleged the man broke into the presbytery, adjacent to the Waterloo Rd church, at about 6.30am.

Detective acting sergeant Ashley Bell said the man allegedly assaulted Fr Krotwaar and demanded cash and the keys to his car.

Fr Krotwaar suffered minor injuries.  He was admitted to hospital traumatised by the incident.

The man left the scene, stealing Fr Krotwaar’s Nissan.

The aggravated burglary followed several burglaries in Warragul which he also has been charged with.

Detectives allege he stole computers from Marist Sion College in Burke St and from an administration building at West Gippsland Hospital in Landsborough Rd.

The man also allegedly smashed a window to the Nielsen Funerals chapel and broke into the building causing damage and stealing an I-pad.

He also was charged with stealing a car from Fenton St, Warragul.

Det Bell said detectives also were investigating suspicious activity in Darnum on Monday night.

The priest’s car was found dumped at Lake Narracan yesterday morning.   The vehicle had been damaged and vandalised.

Detectives arrested the 31-year-old man at 3.30pm in Traralgon.

The man was interviewed and charged with more than 20 offences including aggravated burglary, burglary, theft, assault, theft of a car, possessing a drug of dependence and committing an indictable offence whilst on bail.

He was remanded in custody overnight.