Transit police are appealing for public assistance after two ticket-vending machines were targeted by thieves overnight, Victoria Police say.
The first incident occurred at Gisborne railway station at 3.50am when two men backed a white utility up the ticket machine and attempted to wrench it from the steel surrounding frame.
The machine was pulled from the frame but failed to detach from its footings, causing the thieves to drive off empty handed.
A short time later at 4.30am, a second incident took place at Riddell’s Creek railway station, when the men, once again using the white utility, managed to steal the ticket machine.
After pulling the machine from the stand the men placed it in the rear of the utility and drove off.
The ticket machine was later located in Palmer Road in Sunbury around 7am.
Investigators believe the vehicle used in the incidents is a white late model twin-cab utility.
Both the men were wearing dark-coloured hoodies and dark clothing.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
