Gooby Goose cafe in Happy Valley targeted by arsonist youths as teen vandals wreak havoc in Adelaide’s south

Teenage vandals broke into a popular cafe twice during the school holidays and tried to set it alight – with the owner saying the system is broken.

Cafe owner Mathew Hollamby says his business was targeted twice in the school holidays. Picture: Russell Millard

A southern suburbs cafe owner is calling for action after his business was targeted twice this month by teenagers breaking in and attempting to set the cafe ablaze.

The attacks are part of a crime spree across Happy Valley and Aberfoyle Park this month.

Mathew Hollamby, who owns the Gooby Goose cafe in Happy Valley, said he had been left to foot the bill for recent break-ins, with neighbouring businesses also suffering at the hands of vandals in recent weeks.

Mr Hollamby said alleged youth crime had become a big issue. It started during the first week of the school holidays on a Tuesday morning when they were broken into and had cash stolen, he said.

Gooby Goose Cafe owner Mathew Hollamby says rising teen youth crime shows the ‘system is broken’. Picture: Russell Millard

“Five days later, they broke in, trashed the place, stole what they could steal and then attempted to start a fire … it’s just needless destruction.

“The system is broken … we’ve had chances to fix it and if this is the best we can come up with we’ve failed.”

The local pharmacy’s delivery vehicle’s tyres were slashed and other members of the public had vehicles damaged.

Police say there were more than 30 offences between Tuesday, October 3, and Wednesday, October 4. A 13-year-old boy, two 14-year-old boys and a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl were arrested.

The five teenagers were charged with theft and are scheduled to appear in the Christies Beach Youth Court on November 23, after being granted police bail.

Mr Hollamby has met with Hurtle Vale MP Nat Cook and Davenport MP Erin Thompson to determine what can be done to deter young criminals and make the community safe.

A spokesman for Ms Cook said she could not comment on individual cases or penalties, but encouraged the community to report incidents to police.

A member of a Aberfoyle Park/Happy Valley community page said his car had been targeted by teen vandals. Picture: Facebook.

Mr Hollamby said the community had to work together and help the kids realise there’s more to life than going around and targeting businesses or property.

“I don’t want to see kids in jail for this, but there has to be repercussions and avenues where they can actually channel skills that help the community rather then destroy it.”

After speaking to the police and reviewing the CCTV, Mr Hollamby believes the five teenagers aged about 14 who were allegedly involved in the break-in, have since been arrested only to be released back into the community.

“They were bailed, and two of them, came back on Sunday morning at five in the morning, proceeded to break in again and cause another few $100 worth of damage,” he alleges.

“It’s not fair that they’ve been able to be granted bail and home before me because I’m still cleaning up the mess they have made.”

Mr Hollamby said the damage bill was estimated to be about $7000, which includes two days’ worth of sales, wages and clean-up fees.

SA teenagers charged after Stirling Woolworths destroyed in Adelaide Hills fire. Picture: 7 NEWS

Damage inside Woolworths at Stirling which was destroyed by fire. Picture: Supplied

Across town, two 14-year-olds from Heathfield and Bridgewater were charged with arson after the blaze caused more than $25m damage, destroyed the Woolworths supermarket and caused significant damage to many other businesses.

SA Police said the teens were bailed to appear in the Mount Barker Youth Court on December 14.

More than 100 firefighters battled the blaze after crews were called to Woolworths at the Stirling Village shopping centre about 2.15pm on Sunday, following reports a fire ignited in the aisles.

SA Police said they were bailed to appear in the Mount Barker Youth Court on December 14.