By Brendan Rees
Pearcedale Cricket Club members have been left stumped after callous thieves stole slabs of alcohol from their clubrooms during the early hours of Monday morning, 27 November.
Pearcedale Cricket Club vice-president Andrew Williams said at about 12am thieves made away with about $700 worth of alcohol and a safe that was bolted to the floor after forcing their way into the club’s double aluminium framed glass doors at Pearcedale Recreation Reserve.
He said it was lucky no money was kept in the safe but the intruders “pretty well trashed the front doors,” leaving a damage bill of about $5000.
He said the thieves also took off with about $400 cash from the till float after rummaging through the bar.
“It’s a bit disappointing because we’re getting back on our feet this year after a couple of bad years in terms of no sponsorship.
“We are insured so we hope to get some back from our insurance for the loss of property. Things like this you don’t expect to happen and have to deal with.”
Mr Williams said no cricket equipment was taken and it appeared the intruders knew there was a safe in the cool room.
“They didn’t look anywhere else. They went straight to the safe in the cool room.”
“We had a cupboard which had a lot of apparel in it which they had broken into – once they saw it was apparel they didn’t really care.”
He said the thieves also forced their way through a steel door before breaking a lock on the cool room.
“They knew exactly what they were looking for. They would’ve had some decent equipment to get the safe out. It wasn’t a big safe but it was bolted to the concrete,” adding it would’ve been a “big job to get that out.”
He said no one used the safe, adding “They would’ve got a bit a shock when they went to all that trouble.”
He said the club’s security system was “old and tired” and in need of upgrading.
“It’s another expense we’re going to have to do now to upgrade our system and hopefully deter it from happening again.”
Mr Williams said money was already tight at the club. “We’ve been lucky enough to get a little sponsorship which has helped out a lot, that’s been good. One of our better years and then something like this happens.”
Casey Crime Investigation Unit is investigating.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Casey Crime Investigation Unit on 9705 3111.
Pearcedale Cricket Club is hosting a Twnety20 match against Flinders for the Jack Peacock Cup this Sunday, 3 December at 3.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend and support the club. Drinks at the bar and a barbecue will be available.
