Thieves clean out workshop

By Sarah Schwager
A DEVASTATING robbery has turned a Cranbourne business from repair to despair.
Thieves cleaned out Advanced Transmissions in Arundel Street last week, stealing numerous tools, including specialised equipment, as well as the cars of three customers.
Owner Ray Doig has offered a $5000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the thieves and the return of all the stolen tools.
Mr Doig said he was extremely disappointed about what seemed to be a callous and well-organised robbery.
“I’ve run this business for 19 years and never had this happen to this degree before,” he said.
“I’ve gone through the whole emotional turmoil. I felt let down, anguish, which turns to anger.
“They’ve taken enough tools to start a small workshop. Not only that but they took customers’ cars, which were all found destroyed near the Sandhurst Club in Skye.”
He said one of the customers was a single mother who had been given the seven-seater wagon through social service to help her get a job.
The burglary happened between 6pm on 7 May and 7am on 8 May at the Arundel Street garage.
Senior Sergeant Bernie Kaminski from Cranbourne CIU said thieves used a jemmy bar to break the front door and stole a quantity of cash from the till, transmission additive, oils, de-greaser, rags and numerous tools which had all been loaded into three cars that were being repaired.
The 1985 blue Mazda sedan, 2001 white Holden Commodore sedan and 1996 blue Ford station wagon were later found without their wheels or number plates.
Mr Doig said tools stolen included Snap-On air tools and specialised electrical equipment which could not be sold easily because most people would not know how to use them. The equipment includes a bright yellow ESAB MIG welder.
Another rarely seen piece of equipment was a two metre by one metre light blue King Chrome tool cabinet.
“They have to have spent at least an hour in there and they would have needed at least three people to drive the cars,” Mr Doig said.
“For the amount of money they will sell this equipment for they would be better served getting their own job and buying their own tools. I mean, what a life.”
He said he would be out of pocket after the theft and he was not sure about the customers who had their cars destroyed.
Mr Doig said he had installed double-action security, so thieves would not be able to get into the place without getting detected.
Anyone who has information on the burglary can contact Detective Senior Constable Mick Van Hamond at Cranbourne CIU on 5991 0661.