Cobram Crime Investigation Unit detectives are investigating a crime spree that started in Kyabram yesterday and spread to Rochester, Nathalia, Cobram Strathmerton and Echuca, Victoria Police say.
The first incident took place on Sinclair Road in Kyabram when a man doing some fencing had his 2006 Toyota Hilux utility stolen yesterday afternoon at 5pm.
The second incident occurred in the early hours of this morning when the offenders broke into a Cobram hotel on Punt Road at about 2.40am.
Using a crow bar they jemmied open a glass sliding door and gained entry into the hotel stealing a charity tin from the bar area.
Still in Cobram, the utility was then used in a ram raid where the thieves reversed into the front doors of a Station Street hotel about 3am, causing significant damage to the building.
Once inside the hotel the thieves, wearing gloves and hoodies, stole five iPads before driving away in the stolen utility.
At 3.25am the thieves struck in Strathmerton, using a sledge hammer to break into a service station on the Murray Valley Highway, stealing cigarettes and cash.
A neighbour, hearing the noise of the break-in, arrived at the scene to see the offenders driving away.
Within the hour, the thieves were at Nathalia where they broke into a supermarket using the sledge hammer and a crowbar.
Once inside the supermarket they stole cigarettes and a large quantity of pre-mixed alcohol.
At 6.25am the thieves committed another ram raid on a Rochester hardware store stealing powers tools which included a drop saw, angle grinder, hammer drill and a circular saw.
Police are also investigating two other burglaries in Echuca believed to have been committed by the same offenders.
These burglaries were committed on a delicatessen and a bike shop where two scooters were stolen.
The utility was located burnt out on Bonn Road in Rochester at 7.45am this morning.
Investigators have released an image of one of the men they believe may be able to assist with their investigation.
Detectives believe that four men were involved in the burglaries and are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
