Bottega Veneta Collins St store ram raided by thieves
An Italian fashion house has been smashed into by ram raiders — the latest in a string of smash and grab attacks on luxury stores.
Police & Courts
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Detectives have combed the scene of a CBD ram raid.
The luxury Bottega Veneta store, near Russell St, was targeted by thieves about 4.15am.
The Italian luxury fashion house stocks handbags, shoes, accessories and jewellery for both men and women.
Photographs and forensic detail were taken at the scene of the crime on Wednesday morning.
The front door and window of the building had suffered major damage, with smashed glass strewn at the scene.
Shocked staff turned up to the scene, unsure if the business would be able to open for trade on Wednesday.
Staff were seen hugging and consoling one another.
By 8.30am, they were permitted entry to the store and began to conduct an audit on missing products.
Many CBD dwellers stopped to look at the crime scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.
There has been a string of ram raids at luxury goods stores in Melbourne.
On February 2, a thief stole an estimated $100,000 worth of designer handbags from Berluti Melbourne, also on Collins St.
On May 26, last year a pair of crooks ploughed into the front of iconic designer shop Miss Louise, also on Collins St.
The duo crashed through the front of the store in a ute before stealing valuable items.
In March last year, a man used a fishing rod to allegedly steal a shiny Versace necklace from a display at a Melbourne designer store.
The 43-year-old allegedly stole a gold necklace off a fashion mannequin in the Le Style boutique window on Little Collins St.
Pricey designer items are highly sought after and detectives monitor social media platforms and second-hand websites for the crop of items that have been stolen.
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