Hole-in-the-wall gang's really big steal



Dispensing with traditional 'safe cracking' methods such as a pair of deft hands and a stethoscope, thieves hot-wired a 20-tonne excavator to bag their hefty booty from Mitchell tip.

The brazen robbers commandeered the on-site heavy machinery to rip open the tin wall of the waste management centre weighbridge building and pick up the 1m-high safe between 11pm on Sunday and 12.30 am Monday (22-23 March 2009).

ACT Policing said the excavator was driven 100m and its massive bucket used to remove the safe which contained a significant amount of money - much of it in coins - and administrative documents. The offenders used bolt cutters to cut a section of the surrounding fence, large enough for ute or light truck to get through, and escaped along Wells Station Road. The excavator was left running.

It is believed the audacious burglary may be connected to one at a construction site in Harrison overnight. A chained gate had been cut open and a three-tonne tipper truck was stolen. The stolen truck was found burnt out in Hall at 4.45 am yesterday.

Constable Matthew Elliot said the Mitchell thieves were lucky to be alive because they had cut through electrical wires and could have been electrocuted. A circuit-breaker prevented any fatalities.

Sergeant Chris Meagher, of Gungahlin Police, said the crime looked like it had involved a fair amount of planning. Australian Federal Police forensics were on the scene examining the excavator and the damaged fence. Six security cameras taped the brazen smash and grab at the tip. Police have seen the footage, but have not said whether they have any leads on suspects as a result. They are hoping to find witnesses.

Constable Elliot said they were hopeful someone heard something because it would have taken more than an hour to steal the safe with the slow moving excavator. It would have also been extremely loud to break through the building.

The API Series II safe is described as dark green with two keyholes and a tumbler on the door. It has a registration number of BO492.

Anyone with any information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Source: The Canberra Times - 24 March 2009

The Canberra Times is published by The Federal Capital Press Pty Ltd - 9 Pirie Street, Fyshwick.


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