Police believe this truck stolen from Gill and Debbie Dubbeld’s Officer business may have been used in an ATM heist. 41709
PAKENHAM police believe a truck stolen in Officer on Tuesday night may have been used in an ATM heist in Clematis later that evening.
The truck was stolen from Sheds and Beyond in Officer but due to poor visibility on closed circuit television (CCTV) footage police cannot confirm that the same vehicle was used in the raid.
The smash and grab of the ATM machine happened sometime between 8pm and 11pm last Tuesday night (12 January).
Pakenham Criminal Investigation Unit’s Senior Detective Colin Beard said CCTV footage had shown three men drive up to the hotel in a ute or pick-up truck.
He said the men smashed the lower glass into the main bar of the hotel and reversed the truck up to the window.
“They then carried the machine out and drove off,” Sen Det Beard said.
Truck owner Gill Dubbeld said he noticed his truck was missing about 6.30am Wednesday morning.
“My immediate reaction was to check the other vehicle in the yard,” he said.
“It was also broken into. The battery drill from the other vehicle was stolen and used to break into the truck.”
Police asked Mr Dubbeld if the truck was capable of carrying an ATM.
The truck was found later that day at Clayton railway station. Tools valued at about $6500, including a $2000 laser level, were taken from the truck.
Mr Dubbeld said this was the second time in four years his business had been broken into. His office was also ransacked about 12 months ago.
“It’s really frustrating from a business point of view,” Mr Dubbeld said.
“You put your heart and soul into a business and then this sort of thing happens,” he said.
“I can look at one thing and laugh. I was the last to drive the truck and I know it was very low on fuel … whoever stole it had to fill it up because I got it back with half a tank of fuel.”
Mr Dubbeld now has to get the exhaust, steering lock and ignition replaced in the truck.
Sen Det Beard said that although police had CCTV footage, it wasn’t very clear due to a lack of light in the area.
“All we can see are the figures moving around,” he said.
Sen Det Beard said the ATM burglary was not something that happened in the hills everyday.
“It’s something you see in Moonee Ponds and Carlton, not out this way,” he said.
A Paradise Hotel employee found the smashed window and missing ATM shortly after 7.30am last Wednesday.
She said it was a huge shock.
“I have never seen anything like this before … they smashed the glass and were in and out within two and a half minutes,” the employee said.
Pakenham CIU is calling for anyone who may have seen or heard anything to contact police on 5945 2500.
