By JESSE GRAHAM
POLICE are investigating a link between a spate of cigarette thefts around the Yarra Valley and a break-in at Coldstream IGA this week, and are calling on witnesses to come forward.
Yarra Ranges Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) Detective Sergeant Pat Barrow said that between 8pm on Wednesday, 4 November and 7.55am the following day, unknown people forced open a rear roller door at the supermarket, off of Killara Road.
Det Sgt Barrow said cash and $20,000 worth of cigarettes were stolen in the incident.
He said police were investigating whether the theft was linked to a number of recent cigarette burglaries from businesses across the Yarra Valley.
On 28 June, cigarettes were stolen from the Yarra Glen IGA, and on 15 June, four businesses across the Yarra Valley were broken into.
These burglaries followed others between March and April, where tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of cigarettes were stolen from service stations in Yarra Glen, Tecoma, Lilydale, Kilsyth and Eltham North.
“There is a possibility that it’s linked,” Det Sgt Barrow said.
“We’re looking into that at the moment.”
Anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity or vehicles near the supermarket overnight on Wednesday is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential crime report on www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
