Brickworks Marketplace targeted in brazen store break-in overnight

Just days after the Brickworks Marketplace shopping centre was sold for $85m, thieves have targeted several shops and left a trail of damage.

The Brickworks Marketplace shopping centre on South Rd at Torrensville has just been sold. Picture: Supplied by JLL

Police are investigating a spate of break-ins overnight at western suburbs stores, including the Brickworks Marketplace on South Rd.

Around 4.45am on Wednesday, a delivery driver spotted the broken glass door to a cafe at the Brickworks Marketplace at Torrensville.

Police found three stores had been broken into and had their tills targeted.

The famous chimney at The Brickworks Marketplace.

Officers retrieved CCTV footage, which revealed a man had kicked in the front door to gain entry, around 3.45am.

He was described as of caucasian appearance and 178cm tall.

Just over 30 minutes later, another break-in occurred at a St Clair coffee shop on Cheltenham Parade at 4.20am.

A witness reported a man had smashed a window of the cafe to gain entry and appeared to head straight for the till. The man allegedly left in an older silver SUV driven by a second suspect.

Police are yet to determine if anything was stolen from any of the break-ins, but crime scene investigators will attend the scene on this morning.

Development of the Brickworks Marketplace shopping centre was completed in 2015.

It comprises 40 speciality stores and has just been sold for $85m to property fund manager FRP Capital, which says it will look at “strategic leasing and tenant remixing” ahead of a potential redevelopment.