28 February 2017

Brazen burglar smashes his way through Pialligo

| Charlotte
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Pialligo Estate Farmhouse with one glass door panel destroyed. Photo: Charlotte Harper

A man who bashed his way through glass into at least two businesses in Pialligo last night was captured on CCTV footage from several angles, giving police plenty to work with as they investigate the case.

A still from the CCTV footage taken at BruceWorks.

The man can be seen wearing Adidas-branded clothing as he rips a cash register tray out and runs away with it in the footage taken at the brand new headquarters of landscaping business BruceWorks (the company only moved into the new premises a week ago).

Forensic investigators will examine footprints and other marks at the scene of the break-in that occurred at the neighbouring Pialligo Estate’s Farmhouse restaurant moments before the BruceWorks burglary. A cash drawer and some liquor were stolen from the Farmhouse.

Pialligo Estate Farmhouse with one glass door panel destroyed. Photo: Charlotte Harper

General Manager of Pialligo Estate Charlie Costelloe told the RiotACT the business was working with ACT Policing to ensure that the video footage from its several cameras could assist them to apprehend the offender.

“We have them on camera … so the police have all that,” Mr Costelloe said.

“The reason it’s still a mess is we’re waiting for forensics to come along … footprints and things … hopefully they’ll get a bit more evidence.”

BruceWorks

He said “a whole stream of businesses” in Pialligo had been broken into last night, and several cars also.

The executive agreed it was a blow on top of the destruction last June by fire of the Pialligo Estate Smokehouse at Hume.

“Yes, it’s one of the years that keeps giving,” he said.

“And we had a big storm a couple of months ago as well, in fact it knocked over a tree and did lots of damage.”

In brighter news, the Smokehouse recommenced operations last August from a site nearby at Fairbairn, and has just picked up a string of awards at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.

“Three gold medals and a champion’s medal for our smoked salmon,” Mr Costelloe said.

The main Farmhouse restaurant will be closed for a few weeks from the afternoon of March 5 for renovations.

“We’re just about to open up some space and give it a bit more flexibility, and change the menu.”

Mr Costelloe recommends keeping an eye on the Facebook page for news of the Farmhouse’s re-opening, and notes that in the meantime, the adjacent Garden Pavilions are now open five days a week.

If you have any information that could assist police in their investigation into the break-ins at Pialligo, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website. Information can be provided anonymously.

Pialligo Estate Farmhouse with one glass door panel destroyed. Photo: Charlotte Harper

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Maryann Mussared10:10 am 01 Mar 17

I am pretty shocked by the state of the roads in Pialligo. I know only a small number of people live there, but it is a thriving estate with nurseries, landscaping businesses and restaurants. The traffic in and out on the weekend is virtually bumper to bumper and parking whever you can quite a feat. There is a mastplan which looks as though it solves some of these problems, but no start date. It must be very frustrating for people living and running businesses there.

Holden Caulfield9:03 am 01 Mar 17

“In brighter news, the Smokehouse recommenced operations last August from a site nearby at Fairbairn, and has just picked up a string of awards at the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.”

Huh? I gather the awards are judged ahead of the actual show taking place?

There does seem to have been a lot of petty crime like this in recent months. I wonder what plans Shane Rattenbury has in place, if any, to try and address this issue.

Maryann Mussared5:07 pm 28 Feb 17

Fortunately the restaurant is not open on a Tuesday, but it was business as usual on other parts of the Estate.

Serina Huang3:54 pm 28 Feb 17

Oh, how terrible! Piallago Estate has had a bad run. I hope things improve for them. I am going there as guest at a wedding on Friday – always so excited and happy to go there.

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