General News
18 July, 2024
Police investivate burglaries
Two Maryborough businesses were broken into last week, leaving local owners “in disbelief” and feeling “violated and unsettled”. Central Goldfields Crime Investigations Unit (CIU) is investigating the two burglaries on July 10 and 12...
Two Maryborough businesses were broken into last week, leaving local owners “in disbelief” and feeling “violated and unsettled”.
Central Goldfields Crime Investigations Unit (CIU) is investigating the two burglaries on July 10 and 12 targeting Maffescioni Bus Lines on Derby Road Wednesday night, and Evolution Kitchen and Cabinets in Drive in Court early Friday morning.
Maffescioni Bus Lines manager David Maffescioni said he was shocked to see the state of their site office after the incident.
“Somebody has just broken in and vandalised it basically — ripped the flywire door off the front, spread all our paperwork all over the floor, put a hose in through a window and flooded it and set off a fire extinguisher,” he said.
“I was in a bit of disbelief to be honest and disappointed as to why anybody would do it, maybe they were looking for keys but they decided to trash the place and didn’t take anything.
“We are still cleaning up everything and lost a lot of paperwork but luckily we had copies of everything otherwise we could have been in real trouble.
“In terms of monetary value there’s no real cost to us other than a clean up, a couple of desks that will need to be thrown out, replacing the carpet and windows and a massive headache.”
Despite offenders allegedly only taking a battery and some spanners from her store, Evolution Kitchens and Cabinets owner Shelley Davies said she was unsettled after her first break-in.
“They have come in at around4 am Friday and have gone through the office and police believe they were looking for whatever cash we have on the premises,” she said.
“It’s a bit unreal and you feel a little bit violated and unsettled afterwards because you start to think somebody has gone through everything.
“We have security cameras and alarms, we are looking at bolstering that up again so that is more of an expense there.
“We have been in business for 20 years and this is the first time something has happened — we have been lucky because it could have been a lot worse but it just seems no matter what you are doing with security, you are probably going to get hit one day.”
Central Goldfields CIU Senior Constable Danny Barker said police are continuing inquiries to find potential suspects.
“Both incidents are treated as burglaries and investigations remain ongoing — we are asking small businesses to remain vigilant of any suspicious activity,” he said.
“If anyone has any information on either of these incidents, it would be appreciated if they come forward.”
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or the Maryborough Police Station on 5460-3300.