Police are investigating another Ballarat store break-in after the liquor section of Ryans IGA at Northway was hit at the weekend.
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CCTV vision showed one burglar breaking into the premises on the corner of Norman and Doveton streets at 1.50am on Saturday, stealing cigarettes from the liquor section of the store before leaving. The thief used a screwdriver to wedge the doors open before smashing through the glass.
Ryans IGA duty manager Sean Kenny said the thief would have stolen “at least” $1000 worth of tobacco.
On Tuesday the entry to the liquor arm of the IGA was boarded up.
The brazen theft follows a spate of ram raids which have occurred across Ballarat in recent months, most notably on Christmas Eve when a service station in Smythesdale was all-but destroyed by a bobcat.
On New Years Day thieves used a three-tonne truck to break into a milk bar on Harold Street in Wendouree, stealing more than $9000 worth of cigarettes.
This followed at least three other attempted ram raids on other shops at across the New Years period, including nearby at SportsPower on Gillies Street and in Sebastopol at Premix King and a gift store on Rubicon Street.
Bakery Hill Coles off Mair Street was also among the suite of shopfronts which suffered damage from the string of break-ins.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.