By Brendan Rees
Thugs have allegedly used a car to smash into a Cranbourne East shopping centre in an attempt to steal an ATM on Tuesday morning, 26 November.
The incident unfolded about 4am when police say two males drove a white SUV into the machine at Hunt Club Village Shopping Centre on Linsell Boulevard.
“The men were unsuccessful and got back into the vehicle and drove away leaving behind a significant damage bill,” Victoria Police spokeswoman Acting Sergeant Melissa Seach said.
Police cordoned off the area with tape and scoured the scene for clues during the morning.
Damage included shattered glass and broken door frames scattered across the area while the ATM was partly ripped from the floor with panels also torn off.
Store owner of TSG Hunt Club Vinson Li said at least two shops as well as his had been hit in the past three-and-half-years.
“I have an alarm in my shop but still scared something happen. It’s lucky this time,” he said.
“I have been here running this shop for three-and-half-years and in my memory twice broke in my shop.
“Even if some security were here what can they do?”
Sachin Behl, store owner of Dollar Essentials discount store, said several stores were the target of thugs including his shop which was hit every week.
“It keeps happening so often now; just part of life, part of business,” he said.
“I stopped even watching Facebook because so much crime.
“Another time they smashed glass windows down here in the night; I don’t know what they tried to get. What do you do?
“I just smile, you can’t stress about these things too much,” Mr Behl said.
Baked bakery shop assistant Chelsea Draper said she had never seen anything as “damaging as this” in the four years she had worked at the centre.
“They could’ve quite easily tried other shops. The damage of the doors and everything out there it’s like wow, definitely on a mission,” she said.
“Luckily they haven’t got away with anything”.
Hunt Club Discount Drug Store retail manager, Narelle, said break-ins hadn’t occurred much in the time she had worked at the centre in four years.
“I wouldn’t say it happens often. Maybe once or twice since we’ve been here, it’s not a regular occurrence,” she said.
“I wouldn’t say I feel unsafe. I think you get it in every area unfortunately”.
Shopper Christine Duncan described crime in Cranbourne as “shocking”.
“It’s a dive in this place … it’s the times we’re living in; can’t do much about it. We’re not hard enough”.
Casey Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating and urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
