Thieves’ exotic haul
THIEVES ransacked a Winchelsea store, stealing more than $50,000 worth of handbags and 30kg of ostrich meat.
The bizarre break-in at Hastings Ostrich Farm store — known as The Vault — has devastated owners Michael and Victoria Hastings.
Torquay Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Kylie Roberts said unknown offenders forced their way into the Main Street store between October 15-20.
Once inside, the offenders stole dozens of valuable items and caused serious damage by smashing display cabinets.
“The shop has been damaged and unique items have been stolen,” Detective Roberts said.
Items stolen include:
A LARGE number ostrich skin handbags worth up to $1500 each;
CROCODILE skin handbags, boots and belts;
PAINTED ostrich eggs and other artwork; CROCODILE skeletons and skins; and
THREE boxes of 10kg frozen ostrich eye fillet meat.
Mr Hastings said the break-in was a brutal blow to the business, which had suffered enormously amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“They have stolen a very large quantity of Australiangrown and Australian-made crocodile and ostrich goods,” Mr Hastings said.
“They have been in there and ransacked the place.
“The items are very characteristic and unusual.”
Mr Hastings said he had “no idea” if the break-in was by people looking for exotic items, or if the offenders had just “grabbed anything” with a high price tag.
“We are absolutely devastated,” he said.
“We’ve been hit very hard with COVID with the whole tourism business closed, and then in July, with the outbreak of avian flu, 100 per cent of export business shut down.”
Mr Hastings has appealed for anyone with information or CCTV footage of the area near the Main Street business to come forward.
“Absolutely any information that could help us locate any of the items is wanted,” he said.
Anyone who sees similar items for sale at markets or through online social media platforms is also asked to come forward.
Detective Roberts urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.