THIEVES have stolen hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment from a Dandenong South meat factory.
They targeted the Redgum Drive factory twice in two weeks.
Business owner Mario Constanzo discovered the first break-in up to two days after it took place, some time between 13 and 16 October.
The machinery stolen weighed more than 1500 kilograms.
“It was at the rear of the property in a secured yard. You can’t really see it or know anything about it unless you go there,” he said.
“I couldn’t even believe it.
“The only way we put it in there was forklifts.
“They’ve gone in there with a trailer and a heavy winch.
“They’ve taken it to pull it apart and scrap it.
“Not many people use that type of machinery.
“They’re only able to be used within the meat processing industry.”
Mr Constanzo said thieves broke into his warehouse on the second occasion, on 25 or 26 October, and stole a boat and trailer worth $28,000.
“They’ve also taken all the refrigeration compressors, the hot water systems,” he said.
“They’ve taken all the copper piping – all full lengths of copper – and stainless steel.
“Then they’ve come into another part of the property at the rear and taken stainless steel again.”
He said the copper was worth up to $4000.
“That was part of a plant that was going to be installed soon,” he said.
“Now we’re missing a major part.
“It’s not easy to get this machinery so when it came along, that’s why I’ve got it.”
Mr Constanzo has about 30 employees.
“Now we’ve stepped up security. I’ve got every system I could think of,” he said.
– CASEY NEILL
