Wild CCTV has captured brazen thieves cutting a trail of destruction and stealing a safe during an early morning ram raid on a Melbourne shopping centre on Saturday.
Victoria Police have launched a manhunt for two people dressed head to toe in black who were caught on camera damaging seven businesses in the dawn incident.
The stolen white SUV crashed through the front door of the Canterbury Road shopping centre at Forest Hill at about 5am.
In the two minute, 16 second CCTV footage released by Victoria Police, the 4WD can be seen backing up to the entrance, before sharply accelerating, bursting through the doors and sending the glass panels flying.
Another thief follows the car through the entrance before the vehicle flies into a shopfront, causing lights and panelling to fall down.
The 4WD then backs into a kiosk in the middle of the centre, crumpling its bumper bar and destroying its headlights.
The thieves fled in an unknown direction after stealing a safe
The thieves damaged a kiosk during the incident
The thieves then struggle to load a safe into the back of the 4WD before driving out the front door, causing more damage as they exit.
Victoria Police said the people involved caused ‘significant damage’ and fled in an unknown direction.
No one was harmed during the incident.
‘Detectives have released CCTV footage in the hope someone who was in the vicinity at the time may be able to recognise those involved,’ Victoria Police said in a statement.
‘Any witnesses, anyone with vision or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or anonymously at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.’
