Factory vandals go on wrecking rampage

THE trashing of businesses at the new Lynbrook Industrial Estate was the worst combined burglary and criminal damage Cranbourne police say they have ever seen.
Police said three factories off the South Gippsland Highway in Lynbrook were broken into and ransacked overnight on Monday, 26 June, leaving a damage bill of thousands of dollars worth of damage.
A further two businesses were significantly damaged.
The offenders used heavy machinery at the factories to ram into cars, buildings, other machinery and boom gates.
Police said the vandals took three boom lift machines from Lepat Development Pty Ltd valued at $150,000 each, which they used to trash other property.
They then drove a forklift through the rear fence at Plantmark, damaging two vehicles.
Police said the vandals also broke into side sheds at Plantmark and stole items out of the cars they had damaged, including car speakers.
They also spray painted the cars.
A prime mover at another site was broken into and the vandals also attempted to break into other trucks.
Four portable sheds used as tearooms were broken into at various sites.
The offenders smashed the cupboards in the tearooms and rifled through the first aid kits.
They also attempted to break in to a shipping container at one of the sites.
Police said it was the worst damage they had seen and urged witnesses to come forward.
Anyone with information can contact Detective Senior Constable Ray Ross at Cranbourne CIU on 5995 4577 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.