Portland IGA’s security system spooks off unwanted thieves who gained access into the store

Police are searching for would-be thieves who were scared off by a supermarket’s alarm system in Portland.

A supermarket in Victoria’s southwest had an attempted break early in the morning on Thursday, where alarms were activated and scared off the thieves.

A Portland IGA manager, who asked not to be named, said the store was unattended when the break-in occurred about 5.30am.

“Someone gained access and activated a security system and police and fire brigades were in attendance when the alarms were activated,” he said.

Police have been provided with CCTV footage and are waiting for crime scene investigators to finish off fingerprinting.

A police spokesperson said no one had been caught and the would-be thieves were only able to get a “couple of steps in” to the store when the security system “spooked” them and they fled from the scene.

The police spokesperson could not confirm how many people were trying to break in and said the situation was “pretty minor”.

Anyone with information on the people involved is urged to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 or call the Portland Police Station on [phone].