By Corey Everitt
A Kooweerup service station has been left with over $10,000 worth of damage to repair as police investigate an attempted burglary last week which saw a stolen vehicle ram through the building in an attempted theft.
Four offenders are believed to have reversed a stolen Ford Ranger in the front glass doors of John Duff & Co fuel station on Station Street, Kooweerup at about 3.50am on Wednesday 10 April.
Inside, the offenders used an angle grinder in an attempt to open cabinets within the store.
Failing to do so, they stole food before fleeing the scene in the stolen Ranger and a reported dark-coloured hatchback.
Operating manager for John Duff & Co, Ash said this wasn’t the first time for a break-in, but it was the first ramming.
“It’s the same as every time, we’re just angry and disappointed,” he said.
“It’s been a long time since the last one, though they usually don’t use a car, they will smash a window or something like that.”
The service station is now left with an expensive fix to their doors for an attempted burglary that stole little.
“All they took was a single primo snack pack,” he said.
“The replacement of the door will cost about $12-$15,000.”
Ash noted that on CCTV, a pedestrian looked to have passed by at the time and stopped their car to honk at the offenders, he said this unknown person probably helped in spooking them away.
He also said that concrete bollards will soon be installed to reinforce the entrance.
Southern Metro Crime Squad are currently investigating the attempted burglary.
Police report that both cars were last spotted heading south along Station Street towards the Gippsland Highway.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
