Tools Unlimited co-owner David Apostolou said CCTV footage showed the offenders drove up to his Epsom store at 6.37am, then smashed the front door to gain entry at 6.50am.

They stole four workshop seats and left, then came back several minutes later and took two MIG welders.

Mr Apostolou said the stolen goods were worth $3500 to $4000.

The offenders were reported to be driving a silver Ford Falcon sedan.

Related: Police investigate multiple burglaries

A silver Ford Falcon sedan was also involved in two attempted break-ins at Rochester Mitre 10 and Rochester Motorcycles earlier that morning, and police are treating the three incidents as connected.

Rochester Mitre 10 owner Matt Hawker said the offenders smashed a panel in the front door and bent the door frames, causing damage he estimated would cost $3000 to $4000.

The attempted break-in had not just a financial cost, he said, but was an interruption to the business and a significant inconvenience.

He said the offenders did not gain entry because they were disturbed by the owner of Rochester Motorcycles, who was on the way to their store to inspect the damage caused by their attempted break-in.

Rochester Motorcycles owner Brian Murphy said the offenders attempted to break into his store at 3.08am, but were disturbed when an alarm went off after they smashed the glass front door.

Last year, there were two major break-ins at Rochester Motorcycles.

Mr Apostolou said his security camera footage showed vehicles driving past the store at the time of the burglary, so asked anyone who might have seen anything to call police.

Bendigo police can be contacted on 5448 1300, while Crime Stoppers can be reached on 1800 333 000.