THE victims of the so-called ‘t-shirt bandits’ say the break-ins caused serious disruptions and financial pain for their businesses.
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Those arrested in Wodonga on Thursday morning were allegedly responsible for more than 30 burglaries at service stations, hotels and convenience stores in the region.
Businesses in Albury, Wodonga, Chiltern, Rutherglen, Yackandandah, Tallangatta, Howlong and Barnawartha fell victim.
Cash, cigarettes and food were the main targets.
Police launched Operation Starmuzz about six months ago in a bid to identify those responsible.
Howlong Caltex manager Bish Rimal said the Hawkings Street premises had twice been targeted.
“Its pretty frustrating in a little town, being a small business,” he said.
“They broke the lock on the front door.
“They targeted smokes and took some chocolates and some drinks.
“They also took our safe.”
Mr Rimal said cash from a whole day of sales had been stolen during the first break-in, which occurred in mid-August.
The second break-in occurred about two weeks later.
“One day’s takings means the whole month’s profit is gone,” he said.
He welcomed charges being laid.
“That’s very good news,” Mr Rimal said.
Security camera footage taken inside the property shows four people raiding the business.
Rutherglen Shell owner Ravi Giran was left with a significant damage bill and loss of stock after his business was targeted.
The two break-ins almost caused him to permanently close the business, which he bought five months ago.
He employs six people and is still concerned about possible break-ins.
“It’s hard,” he said.
“We lost so much stock and so many packets of cigarettes.
“We lost money as well.
“They smashed glass next to the console, smashed the ATM, smashed the wall and smashed other items.
“It’s too much for us.”
Footage filmed inside the business shows a group of four running through the business with their faces obscured by t-shirts targeting a range of items before fleeing with assorted items.
