TWO businesses in Cobden were ram-raided in the early hours of Friday morning.
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A male stole a late model white Hilux ute from Mortlake before driving through the rear door of Ritchie’s IGA at 6.47am.
Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew Raven, of Campderdown police, said the man tied a rope around a cabinet containing cigarettes and made several attempts to remove it.
He set off the alarm and fled the scene empty handed.
Police are reviewing CCTV footage.
Ritchie’s IGA manager Paul Brebner received a call alerting him the alarm had been activated.
“We had a white ute try to get in before I did,” Mr Brebner said.
“When they told me there were four zones gone off, I thought there was something funny going on.
“When I got there I saw the roller door flapping in the wind.”
Mr Brebner, who has been the manager for about 30 years, said he had never witnessed a ram-raid at the supermarket.
He said the supermarket was operating as normal, despite the “substantial” damage.
A second business in the town’s industrial area was also ram-raided.
The man left Cobden and later abandoned the stolen vehicle.
“He left Cobden and a short time later that vehicle was observed by a witness on Blacks Road at Glenormiston,” Acting Senior Sergeant Raven said.
“The vehicle had been torched.”
Acting Senior Sergeant Raven said the offender’s whereabouts was unknown.
“We don’t know if he’s fled or foot or whether another vehicle came to pick him up,” he said.
Acting Senior Sergeant Raven said police were also investigating a number of burglaries in Terang, which they believe may be connected.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.