By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
THREE teens have broken into the Dandenong Market after closing hours and started a fire inside, causing significant damage to stores and stealing jewellery in less than half an hour.
Police and CFA crews were called to the blaze about 6pm on Monday 14 September after the teenagers set fire to a store which sold electric cigarettes and shisha pipes, completely destroying the shop.
The stores on either side were also significantly damaged.
A police spokeswoman said CCTV footage showed three boys, believed to be aged between 13 and 16, breaking into the locked market by ripping a sliding door off its hinges.
They also purposely damaged other stores in the market as well as stealing jewellery and then fleeing the scene after just 20 minutes.
Detectives are still investigating exactly what was taken in the raid and the cost of the damage to the market.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au