A SMASH-and-grab crime spree across Mount Eliza, Mornington and Mount Martha has shocked residents and businesses, and prompted calls for increased CCTV and police patrols on the peninsula.
About one dozen businesses were robbed between 2am and 4am on Monday 17 April, with many staff and owners arriving to work to find windows and doors smashed and cash stolen.
Mornington Peninsula Crime Investigation Unit detectives believe the crimes are linked, with cafes, milk bars, beauty salons, a clothing store and laundromat targeted.
It is believed two people known to police were captured on CCTV cameras at some of the break-ins, although police were unable to confirm this.
Dan Force, of Via Battista, Mount Martha told customers that thieves took cash drawers from his cafe, with CCTV allegedly showing one person in a car while another broke into the store.
Other business owners have posted photos of the devastation caused by the offenders.