Two men have been arrested as police continue to investigate a series of alleged ATM ram raids across Victoria over the last two months.
Detectives from the Eastern Region Crime Squad have linked nine alleged burglaries and attempted burglaries which targeted a variety of businesses across the state from November to January this year.
It will be alleged stolen tow trucks were used to force entry into the businesses, including those with ATMs affixed on walls outside, causing more than $1 million in combined damage.
The alleged incidents comprise of:
- The wall of a business on Commercial Road on Korumburra about 2am on 6 November.
- A restaurant on Station Street in Fairfield about 4am on 26 November.
- A grocery store on Mackie Road in Bentleigh East about 2.30am on 3 December.
- A restaurant on Heatherhill Road in Frankston about 3am on 9 December.
- A newsagency on Baxter-Tooradin Road in Baxter about 3.20am on 9 December.
- A restaurant on Linden Place in Doveton about 3.15am on 18 December.
- A business on Glen Huntly Road in Glen Huntly about 4.20am on 18 December.
- A newsagency on Smith Street in Collingwood about 5.30am on 30 December.
- A general store on Main Street in Yinnar just before 2am on 6 January.
In total, four ATMs were stolen from the Fairfield, Bentleigh East, Baxter and Yinnar businesses.
Detectives have made two arrests as part of the ongoing investigation.
A 34-year-old Drouin man was arrested last Friday and charged with 11 offences for the Baxter and Frankston incidents.
Charges include two counts of burglary, two counts of theft of motor vehicle, criminal damage, driving whilst disqualified and dealing with the proceeds of crime.
He was remanded to appear before Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court on 7 April.
A 31-year-old Dandenong man was arrested at Dandenong Police Station on Monday and charged for the Collingwood incident.
Charges include burglary, three counts of motor vehicle theft and criminal damage.
He was remanded to appear before Dandenong Magistrates' Court on 4 February.
Detectives have also seized seven allegedly stolen tow trucks as part of the investigation, five of which were allegedly left behind at scenes.
The investigation into the remaining incidents is going, and further arrests are expected.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Hannah Thompson, Eastern Region Crime Squad:
"These kinds of incidents have devastating impacts on small business owners who are just trying to make a living.
"Our work does not stop here, and we will continue investigating until every person involved is held to account.
"Anyone with information - no matter how small - is urged to come forward to police."
