By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
AFTER being forced to close for almost three months, and enduring a combined loss of more than $1.5 million, Cranbourne Autobarn is finally re-opening its doors for the first time since the store was ram-raided and ransacked by thieves in June.
While not formally re-opening the family business until next month, store owner John Feehan and staff are planning to hold an unofficial re-opening on Thursday after what has been a harrowing 10-week journey to completely rebuild the Autobahn, located in the Cranbourne Homemaker Centre.
Thieves completely trashed the facility and stole roughly $10,000 worth of products.
About 4am on 3 June the offenders ploughed an allegedly stolen Holden Statesman through the rear roller door of the South Gippsland Highway shop, which is insured, and slammed into bollards inside the building.
They stole a range of items before setting the car on fire and fleeing the scene.
In addition to the stolen merchandise, Mr Feehan said he was forced to write-off about 90 per cent of his stock due to smoke and fire damage, leading to a loss expected to be in excess of $1.5 million.
The whole store was completely gutted after extensive damage to the back of the building, while the shop’s insulation, tin, electrical cables, air-conditioning, entire phone system, security system, and roller doors had to be removed and replaced.
Mr Feehan said the Cranbourne Autobahn was now “basically a brand new shop from the carpet on the floor to the tin on the roof.”
“They’ve devastated us as a family business – myself, my wife, my daughter and 12 staff,” he said.
“There’s been many sleepless nights and stress. Insurance doesn’t pay straight away so you’ve ‘gotta use your own money in the meantime.”
He said the offenders didn’t realise how much damage they’d caused.
“Think of the consequences of this … arson is very severe,” Mr Feehan said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au.
