Police believe offenders used a stolen van to travel between service stations in Cobden and Timboon and steal cigarettes.

Detective Senior Constable Elissa Smith, of the Warrnambool police crime investigation unit, said a 2007 white Suzuki van, with registration WCT 053, was stolen from the Terang train station between December 17 and January 2. 

“This van has been used in the burglaries that occurred in Cobden and Timboon overnight,” she said. 

“We are looking for any witnesses who may have seen this car travelling in the area, or dumped somewhere. 

“If you see that it has been dumped, please contact police immediately and do not touch anything.” 

Anyone with information should call Warrnambool police on 5560 1333 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Earlier, 10am: 

Thieves have smashed through the front door of two south-west service stations overnight and stolen cigarettes and lighters. 

Detective Senior Constable Elissa Smith, of the Warrnambool police crime investigation unit, said two unknown offenders attended the Shell service station on Timboon’s Bailey Street between 12.30am and 12.40am on Thursday. 

She said the offenders gained entry by smashing open a panel of a glass door.

They allegedly entered the premises and stole cigarettes and lighters from behind the counter.

Detective Senior Constable Smith said the same offenders then attended the BP service station on Cobden’s Camperdown-Cobden Rd about 1am.

“They have gained entry the same way, by smashing open the glass front door. They’ve then stolen several packets of cigarettes,” she said. 

“The value of the cigarettes is not known at this stage as investigations are ongoing.” 

Anyone with information should call Warrnambool police on 5560 1333 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

More to come. 

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