BUSINESSES in Red Hill are reeling after having been raided by possibly the same thief twice in the past month.
The man, described as wearing dark clothing, balaclava and gloves, and driving a stolen dark coloured Toyota and a stolen Ford Festiva, has hit at least eight businesses, stealing mainly cash, since the early hours of Monday 2 May.
The cars have since been found burnt-out in Teurong and Tyabb.
In the latest raids early Monday morning last week, the service station in Arthur’s Seat Rd was ram-raided and the safe containing $5000 stolen, with other raids at a pharmacy, Long Table Restaurant, Endota Spa and Hill Station homewares, all in Shoreham Rd, and Balnarring Motors, in Frankston-Flinders Rd.
The service station was previously hit early on Friday 6 May, with the thief ramming the front doors before stealing a $50 bag of coins.
Five days before, early on Monday 2 May, Red Hill Bakery, in Shoreham Rd, was broken into and the cash drawer containing $308 taken. The thief smashed a window in the door to gain entry, Somerville detectives said.
The next day, early on Tuesday 3 May, the cigarette machine was stolen from the Arthur’s Seat hotel, Arthurs’ Seat Rd, after the thief jemmied a door to the downstairs area.
Police said there were no witnesses to the breaking.
On Friday 6 May, the front sliding door to the Red Hill Trading Co., Shoreham Rd, was forced open and draws and cupboards ransacked, but nothing was taken, police said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or Mornington Peninsula CIU, 59781300.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 24 May 2016