Station a target
A PORTARLINGTON petrol station owner who had almost $5000 ripped from his business in less than a year says thieves are targeting it due to its remote location.
Muhammad Farid, manager at the petrol station on Tower Rd since July, said two crooks smashed in at 2.44am yesterday and stole cigarettes worth $800 after failing to jemmy an ATM.
It comes after “hundreds” of petrol drive-offs have left Mr Farid with a $2000 bill, while a theft of lawnmowers and gas bottles have cost him about $2200.
Mr Farid, who has pumped more than $100,000 into the business, said a burglar alarm and CCTV cameras were not a deterrent for criminals.
He suspected locals were behind the most recent theft of 25 packets of cigarettes.
“I’m 100 per cent sure these are local people . . . they weren’t in the store for very long, about two minutes,” Mr Farid said.
“The footage shows two guys but there may have been a third person outside.”
Since he took over last July there have been three breakins. “It gives me the impression that criminals are targeting small business people in Portarlington,” he said.
Mr Farid said he could not boost security further without approval from the petrol station’s head office.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Guthrie said police were investigating the break-in and had viewed CCTV of the incident.
He advised petrol station owners to remove cigarettes from display units at times their stores were not open for business.
“I’d have the roller shutters (of the display units) up and the cigarettes into a secured storage area.
“If anyone has seen something please report it to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”