Smash for cash

A spate of burglaries in Trafalgar, Warragul, and Yarragon over the past week has been a smash for cash, according to detectives.

Business premises were targeted in a series of burglaries as offenders smashed their way into more than 15 business premises in the three towns as well as the Darnum General Store.

Baw Baw CIU detectives investigating the burglaries believe the same offenders were responsible for the spate of burglaries that coincided with similar crimes in Moe.

The crime spree began in Trafalgar last Monday night, continuing in Warragul and Darnum on Tuesday night and a number of Yarragon businesses over the weekend.

Detective senior constable Brett Miller said detectives had obtained security footage at some of the premises.

He said it appeared two males were involved in the series of burglaries, that largely involved smashed windows and the theft of cash.

Det sen const Miller said two male offenders had smashed their way or forced entry into a number of retail and commercial businesses across West Gippsland.

Once inside, he said they ransacked premises in search of cash.

The burglary spree began in Trafalgar on Monday night where cafes were the main victims including Evie’s Café, Sweet Brew and Café Thyme Out.

Habitat Creations in Contour Rd also was broken into. Offenders cut a hole through the fence and then cut chains and locks to gain access to two storage containers.

Chainsaws and power tools were stolen from the containers with computers and a laptop from the office taken.

On Tuesday night, offenders turned their focus to the Warragul industrial area including Clint Ward Motor Repairs, Warragul Machining, Warragul Car Care, Henry’s Trucks and Wot Automotive.

From p1 On the same night, offenders smashed a glass door to gain entry to the Darnum General Store at about midnight.

Offenders stole the cash register and then returned at 2.30am with a set of bolt cutters and a jemmy bar to open the cigarette storage cabinets. A quantity of cigarettes was stolen.

The burglaries continued on the weekend in Yarragon and Trafalgar where offenders broke into Graham’s Seeds and Yarragon Automotive in Waterloo Rd and attempted to break-in to the Yarragon Supermarket.

Trafalgar Tyre Service also was broken into over the weekend.