Hooded ram-raiders who smashed their way into a Taylors Hill shopping centre and made off with an ATM may have been casing the premises weeks ago.
Thieves drove a Toyota LandCruiser four-wheel-drive through the glass doors of the Watervale Shopping Centre about 4am on Monday.
A white Mazda van followed the 4WD inside.
The LandCruiser travelled 50 metres inside the shopping centre and hit the ATM, pushing it off its base.
The four crooks loaded the ATM into the van and drove off, leaving the LandCruiser behind in the middle of the shopping centre and a trail of destruction.
Martin, from centre management, said he believed the crime had been meticulously planned.
“We’ve even got footage of them three weeks ago casing the joint,” he told radio station 3AW.
Martin said the men wore hooded jumpers and gloves when they cased the shopping centre in the early hours of the morning several weeks ago.
“They’re hooded, wear gloves, usually walk around with crowbars,” he said.
Martin said centre management had previously offered footage of the thieves to police.
“They said, ‘well just keep it for the time being’, so now that this has occurred they’ve got all the details of the previous activities here.”
He estimated the thieves caused about $30,000 worth of damage.
The white van is believed to have been stolen from Northcote between March 16 and 30. The LandCruiser was examined at the scene by police on Monday.
Detectives are urging anyone with information about the burglary or the whereabouts of the stolen Mazda to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
By Marissa Calligeros, The Age
