THIEVES are hitting local bike shops hard in overnight robberies – with two in Mordialloc and one in Hampton resulting in the loss of stock valued at $38,000.
On Sunday 28 June, thieves broke into the Mordialloc Bicycle Centre on Beach Rd and stole 11 bikes and bike accessories valued at $10,000 over a seven-hour period. CCTV footage shows two men forcing entry to a storage shed in a laneway behind the Beach Rd shop about 8pm. The same thieves are believed responsible for the theft of 14 bikes valued at $15,000 from Hampton Cycles in Hampton St, Hampton, about 4.30am, also on Sunday 28 June.
These robberies follow a raid on Turning Point Cycles, Mordialloc, on Friday 29 May. At 3.15am thieves broke into the Main St store and stole two bikes valued at $13,000. They cut through a security grill and forced a rear window to gain entry to the store before stealing the “high-end” bikes.
Detectives have released images and CCTV footage of men they believe may be able to assist with their inquiries. Images of some of the bikes and accessories stolen from Mordialloc Bicycle Centre have also been released.
Bayside/Glen Eira Crime Investigation Unit is appealing for public assistance to help solve the crimes.
Anyone who can identify the men, is offered a bike, or sees the bikes and accessories for sale, should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report to crimestoppersvic.com.au
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 15 July 2015
