A string of ram raids on at least four businesses has placed Ballarat traders on high alert as detectives launch an investigation.
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The probe comes after thieves used a three-tonne tray truck to smash through the front windows of a family-run milk bar on Harold Street in Wendouree yesterday morning, stealing more than $9000 worth of cigarettes.
This followed at least three other attempted ram raids on other shops at the weekend, including nearby at SportsPower on Gillies Street and in Sebastopol at Premix King and a gift store on Rubicon Street.
However, police could not say on Tuesday afternoon if the attacks were linked as the investigation was ongoing.
Young couple Craig and Justine Williams, who run the Harold Street milk bar, said they were left shaken following the incident but wanted the community to know their business would reopen today.
They were forced to call in tradesmen, who stabilised the entry of the premises as police cordoned off the entry with crime scene tape.
“When you get a phone call saying that’s happened to your business, it’s a long five-minute drive from home, you feel sick,” Mr Williams said.
“We’re devastated, but we’re keeping our chins up.”
It’s believed thieves used the truck to force their way through about 2.20am before stealing packets of cigarettes behind the counter.
Police said they were looking into how many offenders were involved and called on anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers.
Meanwhile, SportsPower manager Brennan Weir said thieves used a vehicle to ram the glass doors of his store that faces a car park along Gillies Street in the early hours of last Saturday.
“They stole cash and some clothes,” Mr Weir said.
“It will have a minimum impact on the business, but it’s disappointing.
“Some people mentioned installing bollards, which we’ll consider.”
In Smythesdale, a Caltex service station was targeted in another ram raid where offenders used a bobcat to steal an ATM on December 24.
The store reopened to customers a day later and has boarded up holes with wood panelling.
No arrests have been made over the ram raids in Ballarat this week and a police investigation was ongoing as of Tuesday evening.
