Police suspect targeted attacks after two thefts at South Yarra’s Cignall store in three days
There has been a surge in cigarette thefts in Melbourne’s inner city suburbs, which includes two at a South Yarra tobacco store this week. And police are investigating whether the same people are involved.
Inner East
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A South Yarra tobacco store has been burgled twice in three days in what police believe are targeted attacks to steal large quantities of cigarettes.
Stonnington detective Senior Sergeant Nick Densley said two people broke through the front doors of the Cignall store on Toorak Rd in the early hours of Monday morning.
The unidentified duo unlocked roller doors behind the counter and took boxes of cigarettes before escaping in a waiting car.
Sen-Sgt Densley said the same store was also broken into around 3am on Wednesday with a similar outcome despite its doors boarded up.
He said officers were investigating whether the two attacks were by the same group and if they were linked to other recent cigarette thefts in nearby suburbs.
Sen-Sgt Densley said thefts were also reported at tobacco stores in St Kilda’s Acland St and Port Melbourne’s Bay St between 2.30 and 4am on Wednesday.
Cignall South Yarra manager Chen Gu said the offenders took “quite a lot” of cigarettes from his store in both thefts.
Mr Gu said the double hit was “very annoying” and he was still missing some stock.
Sen-Sgt Densley said detectives were investigating CCTV footage from the Toorak Rd thefts in an attempt to identify the offenders.
Any witnesses or anyone with information on the thefts is urged to phone Stonnington detectives on 9520 5200 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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