NEIGHBOURS went out to investigate when they heard a window being smashed at a vacant house in Bonbeach and saw a man wearing a balaclava sitting in what they assumed was a getaway car in the driveway.
The driver of the car – a 2010 model Mazda 3 or 6 – tooted the horn, possibly to alert an accomplice, whom the neighbours saw standing by a smashed upstairs living room window of the Cirrus St house, 2.55am, Sunday 20 November.
The driver backed out of the driveway and accelerated towards the neighbours who were standing on the nature strip, forcing them to jump clear.
He then fled the scene, leaving his accomplice behind.
The offender took off his balaclava when a neighbour tried to grab hold of him and fled north along Cirrus St, leaving the balaclava behind. One witness chased the offender but could not catch him.
The men are described as Caucasian, both wearing black balaclavas and puffer jackets. The runner is described as mid-20s with a brown crew cut, facial stubble, 170cm, solid build, wearing black pants, shoes and gloves.
Call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 with any information.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 23 November 2016