Designer Eyes Glenroy: ram raid target Gino Nardella says Moreland City Council refusing to help

A business owner in Melbourne’s north has lost “hundreds of thousands” worth of top brand sunglasses in violent ram raids.

Glenroy business Designer Eyes has petitioned Moreland Council to get bollards installed to prevent ram raids. Picture: Kathleen O’Connor / 7 News Melbourne

The owner of business selling high-end sunglasses is begging a Melbourne council to install bollards in front of his store after being hit by ram raiders six times.

Gino Nardella, who has owned Glenroy business Designer Eyes for 22 years, said he had lost “hundreds of thousands” worth of stock — which includes Chanel, Dio and Gucci — in the ram raids.

The most recent ram raid happened in January, when thieves smashed the shop’s front entrance with a stolen car before stealing $5000 worth of stock.

“I need support, and that support should come from the council,” Mr Nardella said

“It’s not only the cost of the stolen glasses and the insurance — it’s the time spent cleaning up and the lost trading days.”

But the council has taken a dim view of his pleas, Mr Nardella said.

Despite a petition that has gathered almost 700 signatures, Mr Nardella said the City of Moreland had expressed no desire to come to his aid.

He said the council had mentioned cost and even pedestrian safety as reasons why it could not support the proposal.

“They suggested putting them inside the shop. I don’t want them inside the shop.”

Mr Nardella said he was “absolutely” being targeted.

“I need something to act as a deterrent.”

The petition says that safety is a “low priority” for the City of Moreland.

“It shows a complete disregard for the safety and the livelihoods of ratepayers and the community in general,” the petition says.

The council was contacted for comment.