Bendigo Advertiser supplier's van stolen before morning run

Police have recovered a delivery van stolen this morning from Bendigo.

It sustained minimal damage and was found at around 10am on Emu Creek Road, Emu Creek.

Police are in the early stages of the investigation and are yet to make any arrests or lay any charges.

Earlier

A newspaper delivery van was stolen this morning as the driver was preparing to start their rounds, police said.

One witness said the alleged thief was wearing a high-visibility vest when they entered the Bendigo Distribution Services truck just before 4am on Wednesday.

No-one was injured during the incident.

Police have asked anyone with information to come forward, or for people who can supply CCTV or dashcam footage to contact them.

More news: 'This man will kill someone' - learner accused of dangerous driving denied bail

Bendigo Distribution Services general manager Jerome Tauelangi said two drivers who witnessed the theft were OK.

"It happened at our distribution centre," he said. "One of our drivers had loaded the van and was just about ready to go.

"The driver stepped aside for a moment, and when they were ready they saw it was gone."

The truck was preparing to deliver roughly 80 per cent of daily newspapers stocked in Bendigo businesses like supermarkets, service stations and general stores.

The newspapers included copies of the Bendigo Advertiser, Herald Sun and The Age.

Mr Tauelangi estimated there could have been roughly 3000 newspapers in the van at the time.

More news: Your input is needed to help avoid a Black Saturday repeat

The Advertiser apologises to customers who may not be able to find copies of Wednesday's paper in store today.

Home deliveries and some stores outside of Bendigo have not been affected.

Police are yet to recover the white 2018 Iveco Daily van and have asked anyone with information to contact the Bendigo station or Crime Stoppers.

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can access our trusted content: