THIEVES who targeted a Cobram car dealership came well prepared, according to police.
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The offenders entered Mustica Holden on the Murray Valley Highway about 3am yesterday.
Once inside they smashed a window on a 2006 Holden Commodore SS and forced entry through the back seat to remove a jack.
They used the jack to lift an identical car before stealing the wheels, valued at $8000.
They then broke a window to enter the dealership building and ransacked three offices in search of cash.
They caused damage valued at more than $10,000.
To avoid setting off an alarm system, the thieves smashed their way through plaster walls to get from one office to the next.
An alarm was eventually set off at 3.45am and the offenders fled.
Detective Sen-Constable Matt Prestage said keys to the onsite vehicles were locked and could not be accessed.
“It’s likely they own a similar vehicle and were looking for wheels,” he said.
“I’d say they were well prepared to commit the crime they committed.”
Crime scene investigators spent several hours at the dealership yesterday.
“There were files emptied on the floor and there was a lot of organising, cleaning and clearing to be done,” Detective SenConstable Prestage said.
“Police believe there were at least two people involved; it’s very disrupting for the business.”
The stolen rims were valued about $1500 each, with each tyre valued at $500. A small amount of cash was also taken.
The business did not want to talk about the matter yesterday, other than to say there was little cash kept onsite.
Anyone with information should phone Cobram police on (03) 5871 1977 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.