By Brendan Rees
A new cafe in Cranbourne has been broken into by a brazen thief just six weeks after it opened.
The Amazing Grace owner Paul White said a male burglar broke into the South Gippsland Highway about 3.10am on Thursday, 10 May, where he allegedly helped himself to top-shelf whiskey, cases of beer, cash and power tools.
Mr White said he believed the intruder used a sledge hammer that was sitting outside the rear of the cafe to break into the kitchen door.
The whole incident was captured on CCTV cameras within the cafe.
“He’s looked for cash and things of value. He’s taken our float drawers, the top shelf liquor, tip jars, electrical tools because I had a couple of drills out the back as well,” he said.
Mr White said it “was a real kick in the teeth” after spending nearly three years of hard work refurbishing the building, which was once the St. Agatha’s Church.
“It’s pretty bad, it’s not on. This person has to be accountable for it.”
Mr White said he had gone to open the café at 6.15am when he made the discovery that someone had smashed their way in, which has left a damage bill of close to $15,000.
“I reckon he’s come in through the back through the funeral parlour, that’s my guess,” he said. “He’d probably be able to get through there easier without being noticed.”
The man also jemmied opened cash floats, making away with more than $1000, he said.
“He’s broken into office and ripped a couple of cameras off the wall and seen what else he could take,” Mr White said.
He said whilst in the office the man has taken between $60 to $70 in cash from a safe.
“He’s got the sledgehammer or something heavy because he couldn’t get into the office. He’s then punched a hole through the plaster and then put his arm through the wall to open the door from the inside.
Mr White said the thief then used a delivery trolley to wheel out slabs of alcohol down Stawell Street at about 4am.
The intruder wrecked various door jambs, causing about $4000 worth of damage, he added.
“It’s just not a nice thing to happen in the first six weeks.”
Narre Warren Crime Investigation Unit are investigating and have been handed the CCTV.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
