“Brazen” thieves have targeted a Grovedale store during a series of potentially linked bicycle thefts that began in suburban Melbourne a fortnight ago, according to police.
The pair raided the Marshalltown Rd shop on Tuesday after possibly stealing their first bike in South Melbourne on 27 October, police said.
The Grovedale theft followed the same sequence as six earlier incidents, police alleged, with one man taking the bike from the store then loading it into a white Mazda ute with an “accomplice” driver waiting outside.
The allegedly “linked” incidents also involved businesses in Hoppers Crossing, Brunswick East, Keilor Park and Pascoe Vale.
Police listed another incident, at Flemington, as “attempted theft only”.
Investigators released on Wednesday security camera images of the alleged thieves.
“The first man is perceived to be either Middle Eastern or Pacific Islander in appearance, about 185cm tall, with a pot belly. He is often wearing an orange high visibility top, a hat and sunglasses,” police said.
“The second man was aged about 30 to 40-years-old, with an olive complexion and a solid build.”
Police asked anyone who recognised either or both men to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
