Update, 3pm
Bendigo police are appealing for help to find a thief who stole watches worth $10,000 from Ruffell Jewellers in Mitchell Street.
Detective Senior Constable Andrew Heazlewood said the offender broke into the jewellery store in the Bendigo CBD about 4am on Thursday.
The thief smashed a glass cabinet and took a large number of Citizen watches, believed to be worth $10,000.
Detective Senior Constable Heazlewood said the break-in appeared to be linked to a burglary at Ruffell Jewellers on September 30.
"The video footage that we have from the same video cameras depicts someone with almost the exact same appearance," Detective Senior Constable Heazlewood said.
"At the moment we're using every investigative pathway we can think of to identify the offender."
Detective Senior Constable Heazlewood said the offender appeared to be targeting Ruffell Jewellers specifically.
"I think other businesses should take the usual precautions, but don't think they're being targeted," he said.
"We don't have any witnesses at this stage, but I would urge anyone who did see someone with a large backpack about 4am this morning in the Bendigo CBD to come forward to police."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Update, 1.30pm
Police have confirmed a thief stole watches from Ruffell Jewellers in Mitchell Street during a break-in at about 4am on Thursday.
Detectives from Bendigo Crime Investigation Unit are investigating and believe it is linked to another burglary at the same address on September 30.
Ruffell Jewellers owner Dave Ruffell said he is angry to have the store broken into for a second time in six weeks.
"I'm pretty filthy I have to do it all again just as we were getting back to normal," he said.
"The store is pretty clean now. We weren't planning on opening but did and haven't had a bad day. Some people were shocked to hear (about the break in)."
Mr Ruffell said he was planning increase security and surveillance following the previous break-in six weeks ago but hadn't implemented anything yet.
"The next step is extra surveillance, bars on the windows and some additional lighting at the front of the store," he said. "Other than that we are kind of maxed out on security options."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Earlier
Detectives are investigating another break-in at Ruffell Jewellers in central Bendigo.
The owners of the Mitchell Street store said a thief stole watches.
"Almost [six weeks] to the day and this has happened again... I have no words," the store said on social media.
More to come.
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Chris Pedler
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Tara Cosoleto
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
Journalist covering courts and general news at the Bendigo Advertiser.
