By Benjamin Millar
Police are hunting for a burglar who made off with an estimated $10,000 of wine belonging to a high-end Yarraville restaurant.
About 260 bottles of wine were stolen from the storeroom beneath Navi restaurant on Gamon Street about 5am on August 5, along with thousands of dollars of items from other occupants of the building including a box trailer, power tools, surfboards and snowboarding equipment.
Two bags of nappies were left behind in their place.
Navi owner and chef Julian Hills said the burglar returned about 10am and tried to break into the restaurant, triggering an alarm that alerted police who were underneath the restaurant investigating the earlier theft.
“It was a pretty horrible week, it has occupied my time and mental space badly, but we have been able to re-source everything – everyone has been really helpful,” Mr Hills said.
“We have now just got wine all across the restaurant because we’re worried about putting it back downstairs.”
Mr Hills said the burglar also made off with hard drives containing CCTV footage, but was caught on other CCTV as he attempted to break into the restaurant.
“I know there are people in the building who lost as much as we did, so I just want the police to catch them for those people.”
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said detectives are investigating the burglary. She said the offender left the scene in a black sedan.
“Detectives are keen to speak to any witnesses or anyone that may have seen any suspicious activity in the area at the time,” she said.
Investigators have also released CCTV still of a man that they believe may be able to assist with their enquiries.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
