General News
18 April, 2024
Avoca newsagency and gallery targeted in alleged burglary
Two Avoca establishments were broken into last week, with more than $8000 worth of cash and goods reported stolen. Between April 11 and 13, thieves allegedly targeted the town’s art gallery on York Avenue followed by the High Street-based...
Police have charged aBallarat manaftertwo Avoca establishments were broken into last week, with more than $8000 worth of cash and goods reported stolen.
Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit detectives arrested the 19-year-old following allegedburglaries between April 11 and 13, targetingthe town’s art gallery on York Avenue followed by the High Street-based newsagency, located a mere block away from the Avoca Police Station.
According to Avoca Arts and Gardens president, Hugh Forster, this is the first time Gallery 127 has been burglarised.
“We think it happened [overnight] last Thursday — they jimmied the window, broke the lock and got in,” he said.
“About $2000 was stolen and they took the donation jar as well.
“It’s not a very good [thing] to do and it has never happened to us before.”
Mr Forster said CCTV footage from the gallery, showing two masked robbers coming into the premises, had been handed over to the police.
But, with security cameras not enough to deter the duo, the committee will consider additional measures.
“We will look into getting motion sensors and alarms but that’s a lot of money for a community gallery so we might have to apply for grants,” Mr Forster said.
“It’s frustrating because we could be using the grants and money to improve the gallery and its services to the community — instead, it’ll go towards a non-productive expenditure because of this incident.”
The disappointing episode has now exacerbated the economic strain already felt by the gallery, Mr Forster said.
“At the moment, galleries are really under financial stress because no one’s buying art so this loss of money will be hard to [reconcile],” he said.
“We’ve got insurance for most things but not theft, because it’s really expensive. We are considering it now though — we didn’t expect something like this to happen [in Avoca].
“Short term, I’m not sure what the impact of the theft is but long term our existence is at risk — this could be the tipping point.”
Minutes away, on the town’s main street, Avoca News & Lotto, was also a victim of the crime — and co-owner, David Walters said he was appalled by the perpetrators’ actions.
“I got a call on Saturday, around 4 am, saying that we had been broken into — one of the locals was driving past and saw [people] dragging the safe out the front door so he chased after them but they got away,” he said.
“There had to be at least two people because the safe is very heavy.
“They then managed to open the safe and took the money, the Tattslotto books, and the cash drawers with all the change in it. We’ve lost around six grand and that’s without the tickets.
“It’s terrible — we’re getting cameras now.”
The man has been charged with burglary and theft and has been bailed toappear at Ballarat Magistrates’ Court on May 6.
Anyone with information or CCTV footage about the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
