Police have released more information after a number of burglaries in Bendigo and central Victoria this past week.
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Officers from the Central Victorian Response Unit are investigating two separate sets of incidents with the first happening early Friday morning.
About 3.25am, three people were seen damaging a parked car in Derwent Drive, Long Gully, before driving off in a white Magna sedan.
Five minutes later, the Magna was spotted in Ligar Street, Kennington, where property was damaged.
At 4.15am the car was seen at a burglary at the Caltex service station in Sandhurst Road, California Gully, where cigarettes and other items were stolen.
The Magna was seen once more at 5.40am at a burglary at the Quarry Hill Cafe and Larder in Carpenter Street where a tray of ham and cheese croissants and a bottle of coke were stolen.
The second set of burglaries is believed to have been committed by different offenders and started on Sunday when a white Holden Commodore station wagon was stolen from a Midland Highway address in Huntly.
The car was then used in a number of incidents before being found burnt out in East Bendigo on Monday morning.
It was first seen at a petrol drive-off at a Midland Highway service station in Epsom about 1am.
Next, it appeared at the same service station burgled on Friday morning – the Caltex in Sandhurst Road, California Gully.
Cigarettes and stock were stolen again and the front glass door was smashed in.
From there, the Holden was next spotted at a business in Oglivie Avenue, Echuca, about 3.25am.
Senior Constable Bree George said on Monday police officers saw two people running from the office and into the vehicle, before it took off.
She said members attempted to intercept the vehicle, which had stolen plates, but it refused and police did not pursue.
At 3.45am the vehicle turned up in Rochester at a burglary at Treasure House Jewellers, where watches were stolen.
The car was then found on fire in an industrial area near Murphy Street in East Bendigo about 6.30am.
At this stage investigators have not linked the two sets of incidents but wish to speak to anyone who may have information – contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
