Members of Goulburn’s Men Shed say they’re gutted after vandals broke into their premises off Blackshaw Road, stole equipment and sprayed the area with fire extinguisher powder.
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“It’s the third break-in this year,” member Christopher Herrett told The Post.
”I’m cheesed off. I’ve been doing this for 35 years and I don’t want to do it anymore.”
The intruders cut through cyclone fencing on the railway side of the Blackshaw Road facility late Monday afternoon, smashed a slide bolt on an external door and then did the same to two internal doors, president Garry Miller said.
“They really meant business,” he said.
The two intruders were captured on CCTV camera as they stole five bikes which members had been restoring to either donate or re-sell at reduced price to the community. One of them was later recovered on the Eastgrove side of the railway track. On their way out they sprayed and damaged one of the cameras.
A large tool box full of new tools was also stolen. In addition, they made off with three to four milk crates full of new pedals, tyre tubes and other items to be used in the bikes’ repair.
Three to four cupboards were also ransacked. Footage showed the offenders picking up fire extinguishers and spraying the contents all over the shed’s interior. Mr Miller said members had been busy cleaning up the mess.
Police forensics have examined the scene. They are also reviewing CCTV footage.
The intruders were in the shed on and off for eight hours. Mr Herrett said the facility was also broken into in January and February but this was the worst so far. He estimated the damage at $2000 to $3000.
“You put your heart and soul into something and this is what happens,” he said.