By Mark Clancy
Police are building their case against a suspected ram-raid burglar after a block of Lego thefts from toy shops.
Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives said the raider attempted to ram a rear door of a store on South Gippsland Highway in Cranbourne before trying to force locks to two shipping containers.
The man failed to gain entry to the store or the shipping containers during the raid – between 6.10am and 6.20am on 10 January – and left empty-handed in a dark-coloured Nissan utility.
And Knox Crime Investigation Unit is investigating a burglary at a Wantirna South toy store on 11 January about 7.20am.
It’s understood the unknown offender managed to manipulate a lock to the store inside a Burwood Highway shopping centre and stole two trolley loads of Lego before driving away in a black Nissan Navara utility.
Glen Eira Bayside Crime Investigation Unit is also investigating following a ram raid at a Bentleigh East toy store the following morning.
It is believed a dark coloured Nissan Navara Ute reversed a makeshift ram into the front doors of a Centre Road toy store about 4.50am before driving off.
A man, believed to be the driver, returned to the store about 10 minutes later.
He attempted to gain entry through the damaged door but failed and fled empty handed.
It’s believed the same man was involved in a theft from the store on Monday 9 January, just two days earlier, where a Lego toy set was stolen about 10am.
Investigators believe all incidents are linked.
Police have released CCTV and images of a man who they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries and a vehicle seen nearby at the time of the Knox incident.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
