Bob Jane T Mart Dandenong store owner hit by burglars five times in seven years
Two burglars have used sledgehammers to smash through the front door of Dandenong’s Bob Jane T Mart before using cables to drag a safe to their car before loading it into the boot and fleeing. WATCH THE VIDEO
South East
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The owner of Dandenong Bob Jane T Mart is calling for more police on the streets after his business was burgled for the fifth time in seven years.
Neil Finlayson said he was frustrated by “inconsiderate” criminals after the latest burglary left him with a $5000 damage bill.
Criminals drove up to the Lonsdale St business just after 3am yesterday and attempted to rip the front door off with cables attached to their dark-coloured vehicle.
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They failed and drove away but returned less than 15 minutes later with sledge hammers.
The masked crooks smashed their way into the shop and attached the cables to a safe in the backroom.
They attached the cables to their car and pulled the safe out before dragging it to the vehicle, putting it in the boot and driving off.
Mr Finlayson said the safe contained only $300 but the $5000 damage bill, combined with the time and effort to clean up and report the crime, was detrimental to his business.
“I had to get it fixed straight away because being closed costs you twice as much,” Mr Finlayson said.
“We work really hard and that was money I could’ve put into the business to buy stock, equipment, pay bills, all for just $300.
“By the time you do the police report and contact the insurance company it adds up to a big waste of time.”
Mr Finlayson said the burglary was especially hard for a small family-run business.
“I have a wife and three children who I support and I have seven employees who also have families,” he said.
“This is a headache no small business owner needs.”
Mr Finlayson said he was on his way to the airport to fly out for his aunty’s funeral when he had to divert back to his business.
However, by the time he and the police arrived the crooks had vanished.
“The police were really good they got here in under five minutes but they’re understaffed; there is only so much they can do,” Mr Finlayson said.
“The police need more manpower and we well and truly need more police in Dandenong.
“I’ve been hit several times and half the time they get nothing but cause damage which is the annoying part.
“I’m not alone, most of the other businesses around have been robbed multiple times.”
Dandenong Crime Investigation Unit is investigating.