By Brendan Rees
A bottle shop in Cranbourne is offering a prize for anyone who can help solve a liquor theft.
It comes after three males with a thirst for spirits allegedly stole about $500 worth at Kelly’s Hotel drive-through bottle shop in Cranbourne on Wednesday afternoon, 3 July.
In a bizarre offer, the hotel has created a competition on its Facebook page for anyone able to provide information about the theft on High Street.
“Competition time! Information on three males (plus one) and a car rego QNL456 required to assist us with a robbery,” the post says.
“All replies go into a draw to win a pickup voucher for $50.”
The page also contains a snappily edited video of CCTV footage which captured the incident about 4pm.
It shows the three males, and a station wagon allegedly linked to the theft – with an animated clapperboard flashing across the screen including large text saying “breaking news”.
According to a staff member, who did not want to be named, one of males placed two ten-packs of Double Jack cans on counter.
The male then allegedly asked the staff member for a 24-pack of Jack Daniel’s cans which they brought back and placed on the counter.
The male, described as wearing a dark coat, hat, checked scarf, shorts, and bearing a moustache, allegedly carried all three packs of bourbon and left the store without paying, the staff member said.
Another two men allegedly raided a fridge taking between them four ten-packs of Wild Turkey without paying.
One was described as Caucasian, slim build, with a moustache, and wearing a Los Angeles Raiders cap; while the other was wearing blue Adidas pants, bright red runners, and a hoodie.
The hotel said security gave chase to the culprits in which some of the spirits were dropped by the males.
However, the males allegedly jumped into a waiting car nearby – with registration QNL456.
No staff members were harmed and Cranbourne Police are investigating.
Anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
