Burglars target Kangaroo Flat businesses

The most recent incident occurred in the early hours of Friday morning when offenders broke into a factory and stole a white Mazda, registration 1GC-9BI.

On a previous occasion in mid-September thieves stole another vehicle from a separate factory which also contained up to $2000 worth of tools.

Bendigo crime investigation unit detective sergeant Steve Rainey said there had been “a lot of other burglaries in and around Collins Street” in recent months.

He urged business owners, workers and anyone passing through the area to be on the lookout for any strange or unusual behaviour.

“Quite often suspects appear to be masquerading in normal situations while actually casing premises,” he said.

Sergeant Rainey said tactics used included pretending to be lost and asking for directions or asking after employees at particular businesses who did not actually work there.

He urged business owners to make sure all property was properly secured and not to keep cash on site.

“And report any suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers or the police,” he said.

Meanwhile police are also appealing for witnesses to an incident in which burglars broke into a pharmacy on Hargreaves Street last week.

Sergeant Rainey said the burglary occurred at about 1am on Wednesday morning.

“They’ve smashed an entry point through the ceiling cavity [of an adjoining business] and stolen three iPads from within the store,” he said.

Sergeant Rainey said police were looking for a male offender between the ages of 25 and 50, who triggered the store’s alarm as he left the building.

He appealed for anyone with any information about the iPads or the stolen Mazda to contact police.

To make a report contact the Bendigo police station on 5448 1300 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or make a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au