Police investigate the scene at G Gay and Co Home Hardware this morning. PICTURE: JEREMY BANNISTER
THE same car that was used in a ram raid at VicRoads last week has again been used to smash through a business in an attempted burglary.
Only this time the car got stuck.
In another failed burglary, the stolen ute this morning reversed through the front door of G Gay and Co Home Hardware in Gillies Street.
However the car became stuck in the store, with the bandits escaping empty handed.
It was the third ram raid in Ballarat in one week, following attacks on VicRoads last week with the same car and another separate incident at the Telstra Shop on Wednesday.
Police say the ute, stolen from H Troon construction company, reversed into the front doors of the hardware store about 3am this morning.
It caused substantial damage to the front of the store, snapping a thick metal bar that was protecting the doors.
However when the would-be thieves tried to drive away, the car became hooked on the broken bar and was unable to be driven out.
It was removed from inside the shop this morning by a forklift.
Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Troy Wickham said police attended the scene when the alarms had been set off, but the offenders had already escaped on foot.
It is not believed they stole anything.
The area has been cordoned off as a crime scene.
"It looks as though it is the same car that was used at VicRoads last week," said Detective Wickham.
"We can't say if it was the same people as last week but it looks pretty likely at this stage."
Police will today review CCTV footage of the incident.
Any witnesses or anybody with information is asked to contact Ballarat CIU on 5336 6080.