Lang Lang crime spree

By Jessica Anstice

Police are investigating a string of break-ins where thieves targeted commercial buildings and community precincts across Lang Lang.

Four properties including Larmax Trading, Lang Lang Stihl Shop, Lang Lang football and cricket clubs and Nyora Recreation Reserve were broken into between Monday 4 March and Thursday 7 March.

The trading store was the first victim in the series of incidents.

Not only did the thieves steal a great deal of hand tools from the hardware store, they also stole a ute which was later found burnt out by police.

“The thieves did a bit of damage. Hopefully police are going to recover some of our stolen goods,” Larmax Hardware owner Cathy Dawes said.

“We’re not surprised with the way things are going at the moment; we’ve had break-ins in the past but not for many years.”

Ms Dawes estimates the total value of stolen property was around $30,000.

She said police are handling the situation well and they have caught two of the thieves.

“The police were fantastic. They were onto them within a week and they’ve kept us up-to-date,” she added.

The following night, the Stihl Shop was targeted.

“Once I heard the trading store had been targeted I locked everything up as I knew it would happen to us soon, and sure enough it did,” Stihl Shop owner Dave said.

Fortunately for the Stihl Shop not much was stolen.

“Most of it was chained up. Police rang me and informed me that 80 percent of what was taken was found in the same place and it has been recovered,” he said.

“All the thieves have done is proven to us where our weak points were.

“They’ve done us a favour by making us stronger. We’ve gone well over the top with security measures now.”

Dave also recognised the police officers efforts and the support they have received from the community.

“The whole town pulled together and we caught the thieves,” he said.

The Lang Lang football and cricket clubs were also broken into overnight on the Monday.

About $4000 worth of cash and alcohol was taken.

Football club president Chris Brew was deeply disappointed as both clubs are both non-profit community organisations.

“All of the damage was done to the room which is used by both clubs, so we have to share the cost of replacing locks and doors,” Mr Brew said.

“It’s made us more vigilant going forwards and we are implementing alternative security arrangements.”

Nyora Recreation Reserve was ransacked at about 1.45am on the Thursday.

Offenders thoroughly searched through the club rooms, change rooms, netball rooms and the Men’s Shed.

Amongst the stolen items were laptops, alcohol, netball and cricket equipment, a compressor and battery operated tools but according to Nyora Recreation Reserve president Brett Hume the biggest issue was the damage that was caused to the buildings.

He estimated between $8000 and 12,000 worth of damage.

“In 14 years, this is the third break-in and it was by far the worst,” Mr Hume said.

“We maintain a high level of security around our facilities and we like to think our security systems are a deterrent for most offenders.

“They were able to breach all of our systems. For a community volunteer organisation you can only have so much level of security.”

Mr Hume said the community at large was extremely upset for the damage and losses that occurred.