THIEVES stole cigarettes from supermarkets in Dingley Village, Mentone and Sandringham in early morning raids on Saturday and Tuesday.
In the first robbery, two thieves using crowbars jemmied the rear carpark doors at the Dingley Village Woolworths, 2.28am, Saturday 18 February. Going straight to the service desk they bundled cartons of cigarettes valued at $5000 into a bag or doona cover.
A witness said the men were tall and skinny with their faces covered. One was dark skinned and the other Caucasian.
When the witness called out to the men they walked quickly towards the door, one carrying three or four shelves full of cigarettes.
The men drove off up Marcus Rd in a stolen blue Holden Commodore, registration NRR099, leaving the crowbar behind.
At 1.30am, Tuesday 21 February, possibly the same thieves used a jemmy bar to smash glass panels in a back door to enter the Coles supermarket in Brindisi St, Mentone – but only managed to grab one carton of cigarettes before fleeing.
At 4.56am the same day, three men forced the front sliding doors to enter the Coles supermarket in Waltham St, Sandringham. With their heads covered and wearing gloves the men jemmied open the cigarette cabinet behind the service desk and stole five drawers of cigarettes. They used baskets to carry their booty to a dark coloured hatchback in the carpark.
A Coles’ baker arriving for work saw the men from a distance as they loaded the boot and fled. Coles would not comment on the value of the thefts.
Call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 with information.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 22 February 2017