5 March 2019 – Update – Arrests – ATM Ram Raids – Western Victoria
Published March 8, 2019 | 
Armed Crime Squad detectives have made a breakthrough in their investigation into a series of western Victorian burglaries and thefts of automatic teller machines (ATM’s) with the arrest of three men early this morning.
The men, a 34-year-old from Wendouree, 38-year-old from Haddon and a 41-year-old from Brown Hill were arrested with the assistance of Ballarat Divisional Response Unit, about 7am following the execution of five warrants in:
– King Street Ballarat, East
– Head Street, Wendouree
– Spring Court, Corindhap
– Wilsons Road, Haddon and
– Ryan Street, Brown Hill
The arrests follow an extensive investigation into seven burglaries, thefts and attempted thefts on a variety of business premises including:
– A community centre in Beaufort on 29 November 2018
– A book shop in Creswick on 14 December 2018
– An opportunity shop in Skipton on 15 December 2018
– A bank in Dunkeld on 29 December 2018
– A community centre in Lake Bolac on 29 December 2018
– A marina in Queenscliff on 13 January 2019
– A newsagency in Clunes on Monday 4 March 2019
On each occasion it is alleged the thieves targeted ATMs with either heavy equipment vehicles used to crash through street shop fronts or equipment used to force entry to the premises.
Police have released images of the most recent incident and damage at Clunes.
It is alleged a substantial sum of money was stolen during some of the break-ins.
Detectives have seized a number of firearms, cars, grinders, a sledgehammer and items believed to be related to the ATM thefts.
The trio are currently assisting police with their enquiries and are expected to appear at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court later today.
17 January 2019 – Update -Appeal – Ram Raid – Liquor Store – Mulgrave
Published January 18, 2019 | Police are appealing for public assistance following a ram raid at a liquor store in Mulgrave on December 12.
It is believed three male offenders drove a silver Ford Ranger utility, with stolen plates ZUT061 and 1JT1TP, through the glass front windows of the store on Police Road about 1.30am.
Once inside the offenders stole packets of cigarettes before fleeing the scene.
The first offender is perceived to be of Caucasian appearance, slim build, approximately 160cm tall, wearing a black hooded jumper pulled over his mouth, white t-shirt, grey shoes, grey runners, a white peaked cap, red gloves and a distinctive gold coloured watch on his right hand.
The second offender is perceived to be of Caucasian appearance, slim build, approximately 170cm tall, wearing a black hooded jumper, a grey puffer vest, black shorts with red stripes, green and brown camouflage Nike runners, red gloves and a white cloth tied around his lower face.
The third offender is perceived to be of Caucasian appearance, solid build, approximately 180cm tall, wearing a black hooded jumper with a flower motif on the back, a black peaked cap, navy blue shorts with white and red stripes, white runners, red gloves and a black cloth tied around his lower face.
Police have released images of the men they believe may be able to help with their enquiries.
Investigators are keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone that may have seen any suspicious activity in the area at the time.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
Elaine Cooney
Media Officer
74368
12 December 2018 – Ram Raid – ATM – Tongala
Published December 14, 2018 | Campaspe Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for help after thieves damaged an ATM and stole money from a Tongala bank overnight.
It is believed two males attended the Mangan Street bank shortly before 3am this morning (12 December) and used an excavator to break into the front wall of the bank, causing significant damage to both the building and an ATM.
The pair stole a number of cash boxes to an unknown value before activating the alarm and fleeing.
It is believed the excavator, along with a truck located behind the bank, was stolen from an address on Apollo Drive, Shepparton about 1.15am.
Witnesses have reported seeing a white duel cab and dark grey wagon near the front of the bank about a short time before police were called.
Investigators believe both vehicles are linked to the incident.
19 October 2018 – Ram Raids – Hardware/Liquor Stores – South Melbourne
Published October 25, 2018 | Police are investigating following two ram raids in the southern suburbs of Melbourne last month.
It is believed three masked males drove a Nissan Navara through the back of a hardware store on the South Gippsland Highway shortly before 5am on 29 September.
The car drove through the store before exiting out the front entrance, however nothing was taken from the premises.
Police believe the same vehicle was involved in a ram raid just minutes after at a liquor store on O’Shea Road, Berwick.
The vehicle smashed into the store before driving away.
Nothing was stolen.
The car was later found burnt out on Berwick Springs Promenade, where the males are believed to have fled on foot.
No arrests have been made at this stage and the investigation is ongoing.
4 October 2018 – Ram Raid – Shopping Centre – Blackburn North
Published October 5, 2018 | Police are investigating after reports of multiple ram raids within a shopping centre on Springfield Road in Blackburn North this morning.
Two men driving what is believed to be a white, late model utility have rammed entrance doors on the western side of the centre and gained entry about 2.20am.
It is believed the vehicle has entered the shopping centre, driven around inside and been used to ram entrance roller doors to two stores.
Cash and high-end electrical items were stolen from one of the stores however nothing was taken from the second store.
Roller doors to other stores and a freestanding ATM were damaged as a result of the vehicle being driven within the centre, however no entry was gained to these stores.
1 September 2018 – Ram Raids – Milk Bar/Shopping Centre – Seaford/Frankston
Published September 7, 2018 | Police are searching for thieves who rammed their vehicle into the front of two shops in Melbourne’s south early this morning.
Police have been told unknown offenders drove a white Ford utility with a silver tray into the front of a milk bar on Austin Road in Seaford about 1.45am.
Nothing was stolen from the milk bar.
It is believed the same offenders then attended a shopping centre at the corner of Ashleigh Avenue and Karingal Drive in Frankston about 2am.
They smashed their way into the front of the centre and into a cigarette shop.
The offenders then fled the scene in the Ford utility believed to have significant damage, and were last seen driving towards Peninsula Link.
Police are currently on scene and have established nothing was stolen from the cigarette shop.
Frankston Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating and are keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone that may have seen any suspicious activity in the area.
27 August 2018 – Arrest – Ram Raid – ATM – Keysborough
Published August 31, 2018 | Greater Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following an alleged burglary in Keysborough last week (21 August).
It is understood a truck allegedly stolen from a Dandenong business hours earlier, was used to ram the front of a lottery business on Kingsclere Avenue shortly after 5am.
Two offenders allegedly stole the ATM and left the scene in a second vehicle.
The truck was left wedged in the door of the lotto shop and the get-a-way vehicle was located in Narre Warren later that morning.
A 29-year-old Mentone man has been charged with burglary, theft of a truck, theft of motor vehicle, handle stolen goods, firearms and drug offences.
He has been remanded to appear at Dandenong Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.
25 April 2018 – Ram Raid – Golf Club – Hamley Bridge
Published May 4, 2018 | Police are searching for two offenders who broke into a golf club at Hamley Bridge in the early hours of Monday morning.
About 3.50am on Monday 23 April, a light coloured two door hatch, possibly a Ford Fiesta, was used to ram the front gates of the golf club on Ayliffe Bridge Road, Hamley Bridge. Two men gained entry to the clubrooms and stole an empty cash tin before fleeing in the vehicle.
The car is likely to have sustained front end damage including a smashed headlight and indicator.
One suspect wore a light coloured hoodie with text on the back, while the other wore a camouflage hoodie with “VAV65” or similar on the back.
Crime scene investigators attended the scene.
Anyone with information that may help police to identify the two suspects or their vehicle is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
5 April 2018 – Ram Raid – Clothing Shop – Niddrie
Published April 6, 2018 | Police are on the scene of a ram-raid burglary which occurred in Niddrie earlier this morning.
The incident occurred at a Keilor Road clothing shop at 3.40am when a black Mitsubishi Triton utility reversed into the shop window causing extensive damage.
Police are still to talk to the store owners to ascertain what was stolen.
20 March 2018 – Update – Ram Raid – Petrol Station – Albanvale
Published March 23, 2018 | Brimbank Crime Investigation Unit detectives are appealing for public assistance following a ram raid at a business premises in Albanvale earlier this month.
It is believed a vehicle was driven into the front of the service station on Station Road, near Moorland Road, took place in the early hours of Monday 12 March.
Unknown offenders have stolen a number of items from the convenience store, including an amount of cigarettes.
Detectives are appealing for anyone who might have witnessed the incident to come forward.
