Crash: Police investigate the scene of the ram raid and, left, the car used in the attack. Pictures: JUSTIN WHITELOCK
POLICE are concerned about copycat thieves after a stolen car was used to ram a Ballarat business early yesterday - the second ram raid in two days.
Another vehicle was used to break into VicRoads in Wendouree on Monday night, but police said the two crimes were not related.
Detective Senior Constable Barry Hills from the Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit said the latest ram raid, at the rear of the Telstra Store in the Bridge Mall, occurred just after midnight.
“Uniformed members have observed damage to the door at the Telstra Store, but it wasn’t until 8am that we realised the damage to the door had been caused by a vehicle which had been reversed into the door a number of times,” he said.
“Two males have entered the store and stolen a number of items, including iPhones and other mobile phones and accessories.”
Several thousand dollars worth of equipment was taken.
Detective Senior Constable Hills said an older-model wagon used in the ram raid was stolen from Ballarat Toyota and dumped near Sam’s Warehouse shortly after the break-in.
He said the gate had been cut at the car dealership and the vehicle was found with rear and side damage yesterday morning.
Despite the similarities - and with no arrest for the previous ram raid - Detective Senior Constable Hills said police were not linking the two crimes beyond a potential copycat.
Detective Senior Constable Hills said the vehicle had done a number of “dry runs” shortly after midnight in an effort to break the door.
“Anyone passing through the Little Bridge Street area at the time, we would say to them to come forward.”
Meanwhile, police are still hunting two men who used a white Ford Courier dual cab ute to ram the entrance to the VicRoads at Wendouree at midnight on Monday. The men broke into the building, but fled empty-handed.
Anyone with information call the Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit on 5336 6080 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
jordan.oliver@thecourier.com.au
