By Alana Mitchelson
The Pakenham Senior Citizens Centre has been targeted by a string of back-to-back burglaries this week.
The James Street clubrooms were broken into overnight on Thursday 12 January and again on 13 and 14 January.
Offenders smashed the rear door and ransacked the premises, tearing open envelopes looking for money.
During the final incident on 14 January, the offenders peeled back a metal shutter, which had been erected to secure the clubrooms after the initial break ins, to force entry.
The following morning there were two more burglaries in the same block.
The Pakenham VicRoads office on Stephenson Street had rocks smashed through its front doors during the early hours of Sunday 15 January.
Offenders ransacked the office, again looking for money.
Later that morning, Member for Eastern Region Daniel Mulino’s Pakenham office on the corner of James and Stephenson streets had its front glass door panel shattered.
“The Pakenham community has a right to feel safe in their homes and in their businesses,“ Mr Mulino told the Gazette.
“These are very concerning incidents for the local community, and I have full confidence in our hardworking police as they continue their investigations.“
Police believe the damage at Mr Mulino’s office, VicRoads and the senior citizens centre on Sunday 15 January amount to a combined value of $2000.
Investigators have treated Sunday’s incidents as related, and have urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
