Stefan Bradley
Yarram farm equipment supplier Brown Wigg experienced a ram-raid after midnight on Monday, with alleged offenders stealing chainsaws, motorcycles and hedge trimmers before driving away.
Wellington Crime Investigation Unit detectives have confirmed they are investigating the incident.
“It is understood a vehicle rammed the front door of a machinery store on Commercial Rd about 12.25am. Police were told the occupants got out of the car and stole chainsaws, hedge trimmers and two motorcycles,” Victoria Police told the Gippsland Times in a statement.
“They fled the scene in the vehicle. Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dashcam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.”
Retail assistant Ebony Barlow said footage from the store has been handed to police, which apparently shows the three individuals involved. They may have entered and exited the scene very quickly – in about 90 seconds – but certainly didn’t leave empty-handed.
“We got it all on camera. They had a V8 Nissan Patrol Wagon that we think was stolen. There’s no plates on it. So they reversed through the roller door … ram-raided that way, and three guys jumped out,” Ms Barlow said.
“Two of them grabbed the smaller motorbikes – a CRF50 and a CRF110 – and then two hedge trimmers as well (HS 45s).
“And then another fella ran over to our Kincrome area, grabbed the bolt cutters and cut the chains off the chainsaws. And then those three fellas started loading them up into the back of the car as well.
“So they grabbed six chainsaws all up.”
The store remained partially open throughout the day, with the roller door eventually fixed in the afternoon. There was no damage in any other parts of the store.
Ms Barlow said the alleged offenders knew what they were doing. They were wearing gloves, hoodies and balaclavas in the footage, and the crime scene investigators were unable to pick up fingerprints.
The ram-raid is the latest in a run of criminal incidents that have hit the township since the alleged July 12 robbery of the Yarram Plaza Hot Bread became a national story. Other incidents since then include a break-in and theft at Woolworths and a fire at a toilet block as highlighted in this issue.
While Ms Barlow said the store has resumed normal trading and will replace the stolen stock, she was saddened and distressed that such an incident could occur in somewhere like Yarram.
“I’ve grown up here and (crime has) never been this bad, this continuous…so many hits in a month,” Ms Barlow said.
With no 24-hour police patrol, assistance is delayed as police often travel from Sale or other major towns.
