mmg.com.au

Rochester Mitre 10 was broken into on two occasions last week with intruders stealing a small amount of cash.

The first break-in occurred Tuesday at 12.20am and the second happened after 1am on Saturday.

Mitre 10 owner Russell Anderson said he did not know what to expect when he opened the door to his store anymore — it has been broken into four times in the past 12 months.

On Tuesday morning, one or more intruders broke a metal panel at the back of the premises to gain entry.

Mr Anderson said security called him at 12.20am and when he went to investigate shortly after he was greeted by a trashed office.

‘‘They opened all the drawers and pulled down tins,’’ he said.

‘‘I assume they were looking for money.’’

The credit card machine was damaged along with a scanner and gas container.

Mr Anderson said the intruder or intruders took loose change from the tills.

Again on Saturday morning, Mr Anderson arrived at 7.15am and was greeted by an ‘‘unusual smell’’.

When he reached his office he noticed the carpet tiles were wet and realised the safe had been broken into and its contents stolen.

Mr Anderson said it appeared the intruders cut cement blocks away from the outside wall to gain access to the room and used an angle grinder to cut the safe open.

The window of a nearby truck was smashed and a jack stolen which Mr Anderson said may have been used to prise the safe from the wall.

Pink primer was sprayed over the walls and dripping onto the carpet and a fire extinguisher was also found in the room.

Mr Anderson said he thought the pink primer may have been the reason for the smell.

The timber yard office was also broken into with a hose being left on overnight, flooding the office.

Rochester police and Campaspe Criminal Investigation Unit are investigating.

If you have information, phone 000 or the Rochester police on 54841100.