Smash-grab crims run riot
A BUSINESS owner has vowed to help police track down two thieves who smashed their way into his Mercer St hobby store early yesterday, making off with remote-control toys worth thousands of dollars.
It comes as police reveal they are investigating five other smash- and- grabs overnight across the city. Police believe they may all be connected.
Ultra Extreme Hobbies owner Nick Athiniotis said his store had only been open since February yet burgled twice.
In the first incident, the front window was smashed and a unique $3000 remote-control helicopter stolen.
Yesterday, about 5am, two offenders, one heavy built and one thin, in dark-coloured jackets, smashed through the front door and stole goods worth $4000 in full view of operating CCTV cameras.
‘‘It’s the time and effort that is the worst part,’’ Mr Athiniotis said. ‘‘But I’m not going to let it get to me. We have good CCTV images we’ve passed on to police.’’
Ldg Sen-Const. Judd Joseph said police were also investigating burglaries in Milton St, Bell Park; Thompsons Rd and Edols Place, North Geelong; and Francis St, Belmont.
‘‘They all have similar points of entry, methods of entry and items stolen, which mainly include cash,’’ Sen-Const. Joseph said.
Anyone with information on any of the burglaries is urged to contact Geelong police on 5225 3100 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.