Police believe ram-raids linked

POLICE are investigating three separate ram raids which occurred in Pakenham, Lysterfield and Woori Yallock on Tuesday morning.
Investigators believe four people used a stolen blue Nissan Patrol in the linked raids within a three hour period.
The first ram raid occurred at a service station on Pakenham Road in Pakenham Upper around midnight, where the vehicle was driven into the store and confectionery was stole.
The second incident occurred at a service station on Lysterfield Road, Lysterfield, when the vehicle was reversed into the front doors of the premises around 12.30am. Police believe people wearing balaclavas placed a rope around the ATM machine, attached it to the vehicle and attempted to pull it from the store when the rope broke. They then stole chocolates and drinks before fleeing the scene.
The third incident occurred at a service station on the Warburton Highway in Woori Yallock around 1.25am where the vehicle was reversed into the front entrance of the store.They were again unsuccessful whilst trying to remove the ATM from the premises but they stole a quantity of cigarettes.
Emergency services were called to a car fire on Treloar Reserve at the corner of Bailey and Pakenham Road in Cockatoo just before 3am and located a burnt out blue Nissan Patrol.
Investigators believe the same blue Nissan Patrol was also used in a petrol drive off at a service station on Pakenham Road in Pakenham Upper just after 7pm on Monday.
Detectives from Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit are investigating and would like to hear from anyone that may have seen the blue Nissan Patrol in the area. Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or www.crimestoppers.