Raiders hit club

By Glen Atwell
A RAID at the Tooradin Sports Club on New Year’s Eve will leave the local community feeling the pinch, according to assistant manager Mark Griffiths.
Three daring thieves caused $12,000 in damage and escaped with a safe containing the keys to every one of the venue’s 42 gaming machines soon after close on 31 December.
Two people wearing balaclavas and gloves entered the premises after breaking through the front glass doors, and then smashed their way into the administration office of the venue.
Using a trolley, the thieves wheeled a small safe outside, where a getaway car, described as a white EB Falcon with mag wheels, was waiting.
The thieves also took a small amount of cash and a chequebook.
Mr Griffiths said the robbery was well planned and executed in a professional manner.
“They knew exactly what they wanted, where it was and what equipment was needed to get it out of the venue,” he said.
“This was a professional operation.”
Mr Griffiths said the community-run sports club returned all profits to organisations in the region, and that the damage bill would directly affect local funding.
“ This sort of act strikes at the heart of the community as a whole,” he said.
“It will affect our ability to support groups like the Tooradin Fire Brigade, a number of local primary schools and, of course, our direct sporting club affiliates.”
Just the cost of replacing the locks on each of the club’s 42 gaming machines would cost more than $5000, according to Mr Griffiths.
“Each machine has five locks and each lock costs $25 to replace,” he said.
Police are investigating the incident and anyone with information should call Cranbourne Police on 5991 0600.