CCTV footage from the break-in over the weekend at ION DNA Electric Vehicles in Fyshwick. Photo: Supplied.
Targeted burglaries of e-scooter and e-bike shops have continued across Canberra this week after ACT Policing last week revealed there had been eight separate incidents since 31 January.
Trek Bikes in Phillip, Cookie’s Cycles in Franklin, ION DNA Electric Vehicles in Fyshwick, Canberra Electric Bikes in Phillip, Scooter Hut in Belconnen and Walk Smart in Campbell have all been targeted by thieves in the past five weeks.
There have been three incidents in the past two days, including two at ION DNA Electric Vehicles in Fyshwick.
ION DNA owner Rob Ogilvie said he has struggled to sleep after thieves took the five remaining scooters from his store yesterday (1 March) despite his best efforts to increase security.
“The [robbery] yesterday was the bigger one. We don’t have any scooters left now,” said Mr Ogilvie.
“They tried their normal way yesterday, and I put extra security there, so they just did something different.”
Mr Ogilvie believes the rise in e-scooter and e-bike theft is a result of it becoming increasingly difficult to sell more traditional stolen items such as laptops and phones. He likened it to the recent spike in tool theft.
He also linked ACT Policing’s inability to prevent these targeted burglaries from occurring to the ongoing police shortage. Mr Ogilvie believes that if ACT Policing were appropriately resourced, they would have been conducting high-profile patrols at the different e-scooter and e-bike retailers.
In the CCTV footage, Mr Ogilvie describes the perpetrators as “very relaxed and very casual”. He doesn’t believe it’s the work of organised crime but does think the thieves seem to plan the burglaries well in advance.
As he has struggled to sleep over the last two days, he has been watching the live CCTV footage at his store and has noticed a greater police presence in recent days.
Police would like to speak with anyone who witnesses any suspicious activity at the locations listed above. Criminal Investigations, General Duties policing, AFP Forensics and ACT Policing Intelligence and Digital and Video Operations are all involved with the investigation.
Police are urging anyone with information that may assist to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the Crime Stoppers ACT website.
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