Breadstick bandit

By Kyra Gillespie

The Star News Group headquarters fell victim to a bizarre burglary over the weekend.

Around 4.30pm on Sunday 2 September staff responded to the triggered alarm system to find a broken breadstick in front of the tea room door, which had been bashed in from the outside.

CCTV footage at the Pakenham office shows a young man, who appears to be in his early twenties, make a direct beeline to the large skip bin behind the newsroom.

The curious offender is seen rummaging around the bin, before excitedly picking up an unopened bread stick amidst the rubbish.

With his face completely exposed and baguette in hand, he walks towards the door of the tea room, where it appears he attempts to use the bakery item to beat down the door.

 

Police believe that when the bread stick failed, he then used the heel of his boot the bash the bottom of the door in to gain access.

Once inside, the burglar dons a fire warden’s hat and has a roam around the room; checking the fridge and a number of rooms before exiting empty-handed, still wearing the helmet as an attempted disguise.

Cardinia’s Crime Scene services attended the scene, dusting the door and breadstick for traces of the hungry crook.

They found the warden’s helmet in a nearby wheelie bin a short time later.

 

“The breadstick appeared to be in one piece before he got to it,” Detective Senior Constable Butler said.

“The investigation is still ongoing; we’re hoping we can pick something up from the helmet.”

The bizarre encounter left employees scratching their heads.

“It doesn’t appear that he took anything,” Executive Assistant Robyn Butler said.

“We believe he was looking for alcohol because he didn’t take anything else from the room.

 

“He was walking with a purpose – he wasn’t stumbling around like he was drunk or anything.

“The whole thing is a bit of a mystery.”

“He must have been so annoyed when he realised the bread expired on August 11,” Chief Operating Officer Mike Nesbitt said with a laugh.

The baguette burglar is described as Caucasian in appearance, wearing beige chinos, tradie-style boots, a beanie and a dark jumper with the words ‘NANA’ on the back at the time of the incident.

Anyone who recognises the man, or has any additional information, is asked to contact Cardinia CIU on 59452500 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.