Wyndham police are investigating a supermarket burglary and a petrol station break-in, which occurred this week.
The Sims IGA supermarket on Tarneit Road, Werribee was broken into about 4am on Tuesday.
Cigarettes valued at thousands of dollars were stolen from the store.
Julijan Markovi, the owner of the Daystarter coffee shop which is located within the supermarket, said he was concerned about the crime.
“It’s very worrying as a business owner, not only because of damage to property, but image as well,” he said.“These kinds of incidents deter people from coming here to do their grocery shopping and having a coffee – and of course safety.
“We just hope people can sympathise and continue shopping here.”
Police are also investigating an alleged break-in at a petrol station on Point Cook Road, Sanctuary Lakes.
Detective Sergeant Mark Sagona, from the Wyndham Criminal Investigation Unit, said about four people allegedly broke into the fuel outlet about 3.20am on Wednesday.
He said the offenders, who were “heavily disguised”, forced their way through the petrol station’s front door and remained at the fuel store for several minutes before fleeing in a car, believed to be a dark-coloured SUV.
Detective Sergeant Sagona said police were investigating whether the break-in was linked to a series of other burglaries which occurred at commercial and business premises between 2am and 5am on the same morning.
He said the burglaries “started in Melton and finished in Greenvale”.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
