Montrose IGA ram raid: Smoke screen security system stops thief

A would-be thief has come unstuck after ramming his ute through the Montrose IGA, with a new security system stopping him in his tracks.

A bumbling would-be thief has come unstuck after ram raiding the Montrose IGA, with a new smoke screen security system stopping him in his tracks.

A driver in a Nissan Navara reversed into the Mt Dandenong Rd supermarket about 3.55am Monday, smashing through a front window and causing about $30-40,000 damage.

But CCTV reveals when the driver tried to remove the glass and enter the store he quickly gave up when noticing the smoke coming from the security system, driving off.

But to add insult to injury, the IGA was targeted again on Tuesday morning, with someone forcing entry into the store and grabbing the till from the register, before running away with it about 7.35am.

Store owner Brad Munro has reported both incidents to Lilydale police who are investigating if they are linked.

He believes the man who ram raided his store was after cigarettes.

Mr Munro, whose store has been ram raided three times in the past, recently upgraded his security system to deter thieves.

The non-toxic smoke comes out rapidly making it hard for thieves to see.

“Obviously (the ram raid) is disappointing and shows crooks are getting more brazen,” Mr Munro said.

“We’re now lifting our security through CCTV, high resolution cameras and these smoke shields.”

He chased after four cigarette thieves last year in his car but they managed to escape.

Mr Munro said he was disappointed a gap between the bollards outside his store allowed the driver space to reverse into the supermarket, and called on Yarra Ranges Council to install more to reduce the space between them.

The council’s environment and infrastructure director, Mark Varmalis, said the council hired a contractor to install bollards in front of the IGA in 2019.

“The works were organised after an incident where a driver accidentally drove over the kerb, narrowly missing a pedestrian and their child,” Mr Varmalis said.

“The bollards were installed to provide a physical barrier and provide a visual marker for motorists parking, which in turn would stop such an accident occurring.”

Mr Varmalis said the bollards were placed in the middle of carparking spaces on the footpath for safety and were not installed as a security or crime-prevention measure.

He said security measures for private businesses should be arranged between the property owner and lease holder, and council where a permit may be required.

“Wheel stops were installed in carparks along the Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd to help accommodate safe parking, but these have since been removed, as the surface deteriorated and damaged tyres,” Mr Varmalis said.

He said in light of the ram raid at the IGA on Monday, the council would investigate further options and will also meet with the shop owner and the Montrose Township Group to discuss what else can be done to improve the area.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.