Smash and grab

POLICE were on the trail of a pair of booze bandits on Friday after a midnight spree of burglary and destruction.

Police said several businesses were hit by the men, who allegedly made off with about $2000 worth of spirits.

A Mazda Bravo was stolen from an Invermay business just before midnight and arrived at Riverside’s Liquor Stax bottle shop a short time later, where the two men reportedly used a tyre iron to smash a hole in the front door.

Almost $1000 worth of alcohol was taken and $500 of damage was done to the store.

At 1.45am, the same vehicle arrived at Newstead Hotel.

Police, who obtained CCTV footage, said the stolen vehicle started rolling away and the suspects placed a tyre iron behind the rear wheel to stop it.

The men allegedly smashed down a glass door causing another $500 damage and took almost $1000 worth of spirits.

Detective Inspector Craig Fox said the men had not yet been identified and the location of the vehicle was unknown.

“We are doing some checks and investigations,” he said. “We’re hopeful that we’ll identify those people. The scenes were forensically examined.”

Inspector Fox called on members of the public to keep an eye out for the white 2003 Mazda Bravo with the registration number, B72AE.

Those with information or who may have seen the stolen vehicle in the Riverside or Newstead areas between 1.15am and 2am Friday were urged to contact police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.