MORNINGTON Peninsula detectives were last week searching for five of seven cars stolen from Jeff Wignall Ford, Hastings, 2.20am, Tuesday 9 October.
Company spokesman David Christianson said burglars smashed a door to the dealership in Frankston-Flinders Road and stole keys to the cars. Four were new and three used cars. The keys also allowed the offenders to remove security bollards out front to make their getaway.
The burglars used one of the stolen cars, a Subaru Outback, to rob a K-Mart store in Hall Road, Carrum Downs, at 1.50am next day. Two men reportedly used a crowbar to steal three cash boxes. They were wearing hoodies and gloves. By 3.15am the car had been torched on Yarralumla Drive, Langwarrin. Another car, a Ford Everest, was later found undamaged.
The missing vehicles are a maroon 2015 Ford Everest, black 2018 Ford Everest, blue 2018 Ford Focus, and two grey 2018 Ford Rangers. One of the vehicles had a David Wignall Ford logo on the side.
Seven cars not stolen were taken to a secure yard next day to have their locks changed.
The value of the stolen cars is said to be more than $300,000.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 16 October 2018
