By ANEEKA SIMONIS
A GANG of luxury car thieves has broken into a locked car yard to re-steal a $65,000 Audi recovered by police after the initial theft.
The latest theft came a day after the gang stole three luxury cars valued at around $215,000, in two car yard robberies in Berwick.
The Audi wagon was spotted on Lawsons Close in Cranbourne on Saturday 7 February, with the gang of young thieves nowhere to be seen.
Police towed the car to a Cranbourne-based tow yard to be processed, but sometime overnight the offenders forced entry into the yard and stole the luxury car back.
It is unclear how many men were involved in the theft, but they are believe to be aged between 20 and 30.
The bold break-in came less than 48 hours after the men pulled off two heists, smashing through the glass windows of an empty showroom to make their escape.
About 6.15am on Friday 6 February, three men broke into a champagne-coloured 2006 Mercedes sports car and a Holden HSV ClubSport at the dealership along Princes Highway, near Clyde Road.
To avoid cement bollards blocking their escape, the men drove the cars through the showroom and on to the Princes Highway, leaving glass and broken window frames in their wake.
Police, who were on scene soon after, inspected the damage – including a bumper bar left on the showroom floor which is believed to belong to one of the stolen vehicles.
But in a twist that took police by surprise, the gang returned to the dealership hours after their first heist and took off with the Audi wagon.
Two of the three men, believed to have used keys stolen from their earlier raid, snatched the wagon about 12.15pm – hours after the police investigation began.
The second theft is believed to have been carried out by the bold thieves driving a previously stolen $80,000 Mercedes Benz.
Detective Senior Constable Angela Butler from Casey Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) said surrounding businesses, such as the Shell service station, provided CCTV footage which had been released in the hope of tracking down the gang.
Police also released a profile image of one of the men suspected of taking part in the raids.
He is described as being of European appearance, aged 25-30 with a slim build and short, dark hair.
Police managed to recover the HSV ClubSport which was later found in Station Street, Cranbourne, about 8am on Friday morning but are yet to locate the other two cars.
Detectives suspect the group could be responsible for other crimes in the area.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au
