Business owners in Melbourne’s south-east are reeling after a brazen theft involving a stolen cement truck, which was used as a battering ram to break into several local businesses, including a tyre shop. The incident unfolded in Hallam, where the criminals’ attempt to rob a tyre shop resulted in extensive damage but ultimately yielded nothing of value.
The miscreants broke into the shop early in the morning, having first stolen the cement mixer from a nearby supply store. They used a front-end loader to get through the business’s glass doors before proceeding to loot the premises with a metal pole. Dinuka Tissera, the owner of DHF Tyres, expressed his devastation over the incident, highlighting the challenges faced by small businesses like his already struggling to stay afloat. He likened the audacity of the thieves to something out of a video game, citing their reckless behaviour as resembling that of characters in “Grand Theft Auto.”
Tissera, who has operated his tyre shop for a decade, is frustrated by the leniency of penalties for such criminal activities. He remarked on how the consequences seem insufficient, allowing criminals to continue their actions without fear of serious repercussions. As he put it, “They know they’ll get a slap on the wrist and do it again next week.”
Despite the chaos caused by the thieves, including property damage and the risk to local residents—one witness recounting that the cement truck nearly collided with a house—the criminals walked away without taking anything from the businesses they targeted. The incident has left the owners with not only cleanup duties but also the burden of costly repairs to their shattered properties.
This alarming event has underscored the growing concerns about crime in the region, raising calls for stricter measures to deter repeat offenders. While business owners are left to grapple with the aftermath, the broader community is reflecting on the issues of safety and security in their neighbourhoods.