By Sarah Schwager
A CRANBOURNE hardware store has been broken into for the third time in two weeks.
Hardings Hardware on the South Gippsland Highway has lost thousands of dollars worth of hot water systems.
In the latest burglary on the weekend, thieves got away with seven Rinnai hot water systems, at a wholesale price of $1000 each, though the retail price would be closer to $1500.
The offenders cut through the back fence and forced back the metal sheeting on the back of the factory to break into the property.
In the latest incident on 21 August, 10 units were stolen from the hardware store about 1am.
A number of stove hotplates were also stolen.
Police said thefts of the systems had become more and more prominent.
Senior Sergeant Bernie Kaminski from Cranbourne CIU said there were a spate of thefts of the hot water systems from near completed homes and display homes a number of years ago and the trend has begun again.
Sen Sgt Kaminski said the units were about the size of a small suitcase and very easy to carry.
Anyone who knows about people selling hot water systems is urged to contact Detective Senior Constable Mark Wiederhold at Cranbourne CIU on 5991 0600 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Hard luck for hardware store
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