Businesses urged to be vigilant and check security systems amid Millicent crime spree

Police are urging businesses in a South-East town to be vigilant following a slew of attempted and successful break-ins across the town’s main street.

A regional town in the state’s South-East is in fear of a crime spree after thieves have targeted businesses on the town’s main street over the past week.

Five businesses have been targeted in as many days and police are urging stores in Millicent to assess their security following the series of attempted – and two successful – break-ins which have left businesses with damaged shopfronts.

A local cafe, salon, restaurant and two other businesses all located on George Street were the targets of the incidents.

Police are currently investigating the incidents and suspect they may be connected.

The first break-in took place between 9.30pm Friday, January 5 and 8.20am Saturday, January 6, when a cafe on George St was broken into and an amount of cash was stolen.

A salon on George Street sustained damages during an attempted break in sometime between Saturday December 23 and Saturday January 6.

Fortunately entry was not gained to the premises.

Thieves also attempted to gain entry to a restaurant sometime between 5am Saturday, January 6 and 9am Sunday, January 7.

Their attempts were unsuccessful, but the business sustained damages during the attempted break-in.

Another George Street business was damaged in an attempted break in sometime between 5pm Friday January 5 and 10am Sunday January 7.

Crime Scene Investigators attended each scene and inspected the sites for evidence.

Most recently, another business was successfully broken into and had property stolen on Tuesday January 9, between 1 and 4am.

Senior Sergeant First Class Rick Errington, officer-in-charge of Millicent police, has urged Millicent business owners to check their CCTV footage from Tuesday morning to see if there is any evidence of suspicious behaviour.

He has also recommended that they check the operation of their security measures such as locks, alarms and CCTV systems in the wake of the criminal activity.

Police are asking anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report on line at www.crimestopperssa.com.au.