Police are appealing for witnesses following three separate ram raids in Melbourne’s south east early this morning.
Investigators believe four offenders used an alleged stolen blue Nissan Patrol in the linked raids within a three hour period.
The first ram raid occurred at a service station on Pakenham Road in Pakenham Upper around midnight, where the offenders drove the vehicle into the store and stole confectionary.
The second incident occurred at a service station on Lysterfield Road in Lysterfield, when the vehicle was reversed into the front doors of the premises around 12.30am.
It is alleged the offenders, all wearing balaclavas, placed a rope around the ATM machine, attached it to the vehicle and attempted to pull it from the store when the rope broke.
The thieves then stole chocolates and drinks before fleeing the scene.
The third incident occurred at a service station on the Warburton Highway in Woori Yallock around 1.25am where the vehicle was reversed into the front entrance of the store.
The offenders were again unsuccessful whilst trying to remove the ATM from the premises and stole a quantity of cigarettes.
Emergency services were called to a car fire on Treloar Reserve at the corner of Bailey and Pakenham Road in Cockatoo just before 3am and located a burnt out blue Nissan Patrol.
Investigators believe the same blue Nissan Patrol was also used in a petrol drive off at a service station on Pakenham Road in Pakenham Upper just after 7pm last night.
Detectives from Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit are investigating and would like to hear from anyone that may have seen the blue Nissan Patrol in the area.