Video: Hooded thief breaks into Bean and Base Cafe in Rippleside

The owners of a Rippleside cafe have been left “gutted” after a hooded thief armed with a torch broke into their business. WATCH THE VIDEO.

The owners of a Rippleside cafe have been left “gutted” after an offender broke into their business.

The hooded thief, armed with a torch, broke into Bean and Base Cafe on Melbourne Rd about 2am on Sunday.

It’s understood he broke into a unit behind the cafe, before breaking a lock on the store’s back door and entering the venue.

Footage showed the man searching around the cafe’s register and coffee machine while on his knees, before looking inside kitchen cupboards and storage areas.

Owners Lucky and Sheena Thapliyal said they were left “gutted” by the break-in.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s a business or a house, (when) someone goes into your space, you feel so gutted,” Mrs Thapliyal said.

The offender broke the lock to get inside the business via the back door. Picture: Supplied

Mr Thapliyal, who also owns Anchor cafe at Geelong’s Spirit of Tasmania terminal and another venue in Melbourne, said nothing was stolen but it appeared the offender was looking for cash.

The cafe, which opened in 2014, was recently impacted by two weeks of construction which blocked access to the business on Melbourne Rd.

“Two weeks of road works was a disaster,” Mr Thapliyal said.

“To have this happen now, it’s a nightmare

“We work so hard … we try to look after our community.

“It’s happening a lot in Rippleside. but it’s such a good suburb with good people.”

Police confirmed officers are investigating the burglary.

“The offender attempted to gain entry to the residential area upstairs but was spooked by the occupant and fled the scene,” a police spokeswoman said.

“The investigation is ongoing.”

The break-in comes after a spate of recent crime in the bayside suburb.

Last week, a 32-year-old man was arrested after he attempted to rob a home in Margaret St in broad daylight.

The alleged thief was interrupted by a member of the public who detained him before police arrived.

Detectives are also investigating after a man allegedly stole a suitcase filled with thousands of dollars worth of valuables, including electronics and passports, from another Rippleside property on February 11.

The suburb has been targeted by thieves and night-time prowlers in the past 18 months.

Anyone who witnessed the burglary at Bean and Base or has information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.

Originally published as Video: Hooded thief breaks into Bean and Base Cafe in Rippleside