A PATTERSON Lakes restaurant chef found the safe open and a large quantity of cash missing when he opened for a private function, 10am, Saturday 16 July. Kingston detectives later found a jemmy mark on an open side door to the Thompson Rd waterfront restaurant which was entered after 11.30 the previous night. The chef found the safe on a seat under a shelf with the door open. No other areas inside the restaurant were disturbed during the break in and the till floats were not touched.
Police said the alarm was not triggered and showed no activity from when the manager locked up the previous night until it was opened next morning.
Detectives said it was possible the thief entered through the fire escape door and crawled on the floor to the storage room to avoid setting off the alarm. Police are examining CCTV footage for clues.
Anyone with information is asked to call Kingston CIU 9556 6111.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 20 July 2016