VANDALS have left a trail of smashed windows in their wake after three break and enters at Lavington businesses in one night.
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The targeted business owners arrived at work yesterday to be greeted by broken glass and pointless destruction, with thieves making off with little more than small change.
For Allana Kennedy, owner of the Lemonhead Cafe in Sanders Road, it’s adding insult to injury — it’s the second time the fledgling cafe has been struck by thieves in a month after someone made off with $2500 in takings from her handbag.
Mrs Kennedy closed the store at 5pm on Wednesday and returned about 8am yesterday to find the bottom glass panel of the front door shattered.
The vandals tipped bottles of soft drink over and pulled out parsley from pots before making off with Mrs Kennedy’s tool kit and a small amount of cash left for change.
“It’s definitely a setback financially and emotionally,” she said.
“I’ll be worried now every time I come into work about what I’m going to find.”
Mrs Kennedy and her husband Brett opened the cafe several months ago to provide locals with a healthy alternative.
“I wanted to open here because this is where I live and I wanted something better for my community,” she said.
“Hopefully we haven’t made a mistake by opening in this area.”
She said they would now look at installing CCTV.
In Schaefer Street’s small block of shops, vandals also struck the Lucky Dragon Chinese Restaurant and Redemption Hair Design.
The glass front doors of both businesses were smashed and Lucky Dragon’s office was trashed.
Thieves took its cash float, as well as clippers and other equipment from the hair salon.
“Obviously they needed a haircut,” Redemption Hair Design owner Ann-Maree Pascoe said.
“We have no cash on the premises and nothing was trashed ... it could have been a lot worse so we’re grateful it isn’t.”
There is no suggestion the Lemonhead break-in and Schaefer Street break-ins are connected.
Anyone with any information should phone Albury police on (02) 6023 9299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.