Eight properties robbed of cash and equipment in brazen burglary spree

Heartless bandits have robbed district primary schools, sporting facilities and voluntary clubs of cash and vital equipment just days out from Christmas.

Eight separate sites across the Great Western, Moyston and Maroona areas reported property damage and stolen equipment between Thursday night and Sunday morning. 

Ararat Stawell Archers Club was the worst hit, now needing to fork out $10,000 to replace two ride-on mowers, archery gear, a battery charger, two jerry cans, two rolls of clay cloth, a wheelbarrow and cash donation boxes.

Great Western Primary School faces a $2500 bill to fix a damaged garden shed door and replace a stolen ride-on mower. 

Burglars also stole cash and gas bottles from Great Western Racing Club and took more gas bottles as well as soft drink and alcohol from Great Western Riding Club. 

A rear shed at Seppelt Cellar Door was also broken into, but it is still uncertain if any items were removed.

The senseless crime spree then struck Moyston where a brush-cutter and alcohol were stolen from the Moyston Football Club change rooms and a $200 bicycle was taken from a Moyston Primary School garden shed. 

Maroona Primary School was also targeted and must pay $300 for a new lawn mower. 

Ararat Criminal Investigation Unit is investigating the spate of burglaries. 

Investigating officer Jamie Bennett said the total financial loss was about $14,000.

“We are obviously in the early stages of our investigations, but we believe the crimes are all potentially connected,” he said.

“We have a couple of leads that we are following, but we definitely need the community’s help to solve these crimes.”

Investigating officer Bennett urged anybody with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Ararat Criminal Investigation Unit on 5355 1500.

Ararat Stawell Archers Club treasurer Paul Turner was the first to arrive at the site on Sunday and said he knew something was wrong immediately after spotting copper pipe had been tampered with. 

“Then I discovered some open gas cylinders and the club rooms had been forced open,” he said. 

“And the cash donation boxes worth $1000 each were just ripped off the walls.” 

Mr Turner was appalled with the act and said it was a “bad blow” for a small club which was currently struggling for members. 

“Those two ride-on mowers were two of our most prized assets,” he said. 

“We have a large area to mow and we’re stuffed without them heading into summer.

“It must have been a very well-organised attack – they would have used a reciprocal hacksaw to saw through the lock.”

Mr Turner said the club was left without any ideas on how to replace the stolen items.

“It is a lot of money,” he said. 

“We don’t know what we’re going to do now, I guess anyone willing to donate a second hand ride-on mower would be a good start. 

“We might have to raise fees for our few members – it is just so unfair.”

Great Western Primary School was also left without a ride-on mower and a hefty bill. 

Principal Kerry-Ann Harris said it was a crucial piece of equipment and without it would be dangerous.

“We’re in summer and at this stage we have no ride-on mower,” she said. 

“We need to consider whether we can actually afford to buy a new one or if we need to organise a fundraiser.

“It is really disappointing because a small school such as ours can’t afford to replace items like these.”