mmg.com.au

Sandra Roberts’ mother always told her no matter how bad things got she would get through it.

It’s this philosophy the 60-year-old has held close as she has fought to keep her Shepparton corner shop afloat for more than three years.

But it’s this philosophy she is now questioning after the business was burgled.

‘‘You know people are desperate and need money, but I need money too and I don’t go and rob people,’’ Ms Roberts said.

‘‘It’s hard enough keeping the shop open at the moment.’’

Ms Roberts closed her Fryers St milk bar Shake, Salad and Roll at about 3.30pm on Saturday.

Her son drove past at 1am and, unusually, all the lights were off.

On Sunday afternoon, her husband came in to change oil and saw the safe had been broken into and money taken.

He called his wife.

‘‘I just cried,’’ Ms Roberts said.

It was the initial shock of the money taken that hit her first.

It was money she had been saving for GST.

‘‘That’s my money, it’s personal. The GST, that’s hard to get back,’’ she said.

Ms Roberts spoke to The News yesterday. The shock had worn off and the hurt had set in as she stood among traces of the crime — the busted safe, the knife on the floor, an unplugged stereo system, fly-wire cut on the windows, a busted fly-wire door.

‘‘I’m getting angrier as the day goes on,’’ she said.

‘‘It’s such an invasion.’’

The former corrections worker was also plagued by self-doubt.

What if she hadn’t left the money there, what if she had improved security.

‘‘How can you be so stupid?’’ she said.

‘‘You just get complacent ... You always know at the back of your mind it might happen.’’

The shop next door, Perfect Circle Tattooing, was also broken into.

Employee Nigel Richards said burglars wrecked the back door and stole an iPod.

Ms Roberts was quick to get on Facebook and spread the news in the hope of getting information to assist the investigating Shepparton detectives.

But she’s also facing the big questions with her son, saying she will keep the shop open for another nine months in the hope her luck will turn and her mother’s philosophy will stand true.

‘‘I came in (to the business) when there was a downturn, but I think everybody has the same thought — it’s going to turn. It’s gotta go back sooner or later. It’s got to move,’’ Ms Roberts said.

Anyone who witnessed anything out of the ordinary on Saturday night or Sunday morning is urged to phone Detective Senior Constable Paul Shortis on 58205777. Information about the crime can also be given to Crime Stoppers on 1800333000. Information can be anonymous.