Cade Lucas
This story was originally published in October 2024 and Star Weekly has chosen to share it again for readers to enjoy.
The owner of a Williamstown construction company which had its headquarters robbed and ransacked, has accused police of doing nothing in the week since.
Stephen McIver, owner and managing director of McIver Contractors, estimates more than $100,000 worth of vehicles, tools and equipment were stolen from his business in Akuna Drive, Williamstown, early on the morning of Sunday, October 6.
Mr McIver said it wasn’t until 24 hours later when his employees began arriving for work on Monday morning, that the crime was uncovered.
“Our construction manager Phil, who runs the company, he arrived to work at about 6.30am on Monday and he found the gates open, the padlock cut on the ground and our prime mover truck running,” Mr McIver said.
Thinking something was up, the employee then went looking further and found the entire front office had been vandalised.
“The door was open, glass broken, the sliding door off its hinges, file cabinets open, everything trashed,” said Mr McIver, adding that the trail of destruction then led to the company factory where at least one vehicle and numerous pieces of equipment were missing.
“It just goes on and on and on,” he said of the damage to his business which provides gantrys, platforms and other temporary structures to construction sites.
While Mr McIver said his company quickly resumed operations, the response from police had been anything but.
“We called them at 7am in the morning. They arrived at 3.30pm after about 10 phone calls,” he said.
“They walked around the yard and said sorry bad luck and left. They said the detective will be in touch. The police have done nothing.”
In response, police said the incident was reported online rather than via a phone call and that officers responded later the same day, which was appropriate for a non-emergency matter.
Police confirmed they were investigating a burglary and car theft at a business on Akuna Drive, Williamstown, that occurred between 5am and 7am on Sunday October 6.
Investigators understand the offenders forced entry into the business before stealing equipment and a white Toyota utility.
Mr McIver, who has seen CCTV footage of the incident, said the thieves attempted to steal several other vehicles, but fled the scene when a dog walker went past just after 7am.
He said this explained why the prime mover truck still had its engine running when workers arrived the following morning.
Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
