By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
SLEDGEHAMMER cigarette raiders have carried out five lightning attacks in one week.
Detectives suspect the raiders had surveyed their targets and knew what they were after during the attacks, each of which only lasted a few minutes.
They said the raiders’ methods and escape vehicle link the incidents which occurred between 30 August and 5 September when the gang smashed windows to gain entry and stole cigarettes or cash before escaping in a dark-coloured Holden Commodore.
One of raids on the Bunyip Newsagency was caught on camera.
The first burglary occurred sometime between 5pm on 30 August and 6am on 31 August when the raiders smashed the front glass to get in to a Garfield bakery.
The intruders made off with a register containing cash.
At 4am on the same night, the Longwarry supermarket was also targeted.
Two raiders wearing hoodies or balaclavas used a sledgehammer to smash a window and enter the store before taking $7000 worth of cigarettes.
Warragul Detective Sergeant Gordon Hynd said it was clear the offenders had surveyed the premises before the break-in because they spent only about one minute inside the store.
Another two incidents occurred early on the morning of 2 September.
At 4.24am, a person sleeping on the premises of the Tynong General Store was woken by a burglar alarm.
The intruders left after realising there were other people inside.
Just 20 minutes later, police think the same thieves used a sledgehammer to smash the front glass door of the Bunyip Newsagency.
Newsagency owner Joe Greco said the men worked quickly when inside his store.
“We have the incident on camera. They entered at 4.45am and were inside for five or six minutes,” he said.
“They went straight to the cigarette case and took about $5000 worth of stock.”
The men struck again in Neerim South early on Saturday 5 September.
At 3.25am two raiders smashed the window of Foodworks and took cigarettes valued at $1000.
Sgt Hyde said police believed the same offenders were responsible for the incidents.
“The car involved, the mode of entry and the fact that cigarettes were regularly targeted would suggest to us that the same people were behind all of these incidents,” he said.
“I would encourage anyone who knows anything in relation to these matters to contact Crime Stoppers and pass on that information.”
He added that people should be cautious if offered cheap cigarettes.
“People should also be vigilant and keep an eye out for people selling or receiving heavily discounted cigarettes.”
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
