Police have this morning arrested three people in relation to a series of alleged ATM thefts in the Ballarat area, including the destructive damage from Clunes at the weekend.
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Armed Crime Squad detectives arrested a 34-year-old from Wendouree, a 38-year-old from Haddon and a 41-year-old from Brown Hill about 7am following the execution of warrants.
Five properties were raided in:
- King Street, Ballarat East
- Head Street, Wendouree
- Spring Court, Corindhap
- Wilsons Road, Haddon
- Ryan Street, Brown Hill
The arrests follow an extensive investigation into seven burglaries, thefts and attempted thefts on a variety of business premises.
The arrests follow an extensive investigation into seven burglaries, thefts and attempted thefts on a variety of business premises including:
- a community centre in Beaufort on November 29 November last year
- a book shop in Creswick on December 14
- an opportunity shop in Skipton on December 15
- a bank in Dunkeld on December 29
- a community centre in Lake Bolac also on December 29
- a marina in Queenscliff January 13 and a newsagency in Clunes on March 4
On each occasion it is alleged the thieves targeted ATMs with either heavy equipment vehicles used to crash through street shop fronts or equipment used to force entry to the premises.
As part of the raids, detectives seized a number of firearms, cars, grinders, a sledgehammer and items believed to be related to the ATM thefts.
The trio are expected to appear at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court later today.
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