By EMMA SUN
Police on the hunt as villains go on the rampage…
A CRIME spree over two nights across the Dandenong Ranges has sparked a police hunt for those responsible.
Police believe a series of attacks overnight last Monday 9 September started in Ferntree Gully, when a white 1999 Holden Rodeo tray ute was stolen from a property on The Avenue.
Knox CIU Detective Senior Sergeant Neil White said the vehicle, with registration plate PTW 535, has yet to be located by police.
Soon after, two shops on High Street in Bayswater were broken into between 12.45am and 1.15am, including a Nandos franchise. Police have yet to determine what was stolen.
The thieves also targeted the Koko Lime Café on Alchester Crescent in Boronia, where they stole cash, and also smashed their way into a hairdressing salon on the same street where they nabbed the cash register.
Cash was also taken from the Good Life Party Shop on Mountain Highway in Wantirna.
Sen Sgt White said police believed those incidents were related to two other thefts in the Yarra Ranges area, including two in Montrose and one in Mount Evelyn.
An Indian restaurant and a hairdressing salon along Mt Dandenong Tourist Road in Montrose were targeted and it is believed the thieves later broke into the Mount Evelyn Post Office.
Sen Sgt White said Knox detectives were working with members from the Yarra Ranges CIU to conduct the investigation.
“We believe it started in the Ferntree Gully area and we’re currently investigating the matters,” he said.
“We urge anyone who may have information, witnessed anything or has sighted the tray ute to contact Crime Stoppers immediately.”
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant John Bergin said Yarra Ranges detectives are also investigating raids on two chemists in Lilydale overnight last Wednesday 11 September and also an attempted break-in at Belgrave Post Office.
Prescription medication was targeted at Chemist Warehouse in Lilydale Marketplace and Priceline on the main street.
Act Sen Sgt Bergin said while the smash and grab thefts were consistent with the other crimes, police were unsure whether the latest incidents were connected those that occurred on the Monday.
It is believed a stolen grey sedan car was used in the Lilydale incidents.
Act Sen Sgt Bergin said police are looking for a Caucasian man aged in his mid to late 20s.
He said the break-ins could cost each businesses thousands of dollars.
“There would be damaged stock, smashed glass and damaged after hour shuttering,” he said.
“It would easily set them back thousands of dollars and affect trade the next day, so it’s a huge impact on the businesses.”
He urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
