Staff at Kurri-based manufacturer Alfabs are appealing for information from the community after one if its sheds was broken into last week.
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Alfabs NSW Mining Operations Manager Jacob Bellamy said that the thieves, believed to be from the Raymond Terrace area, stole around $30,000 worth of equipment and caused more than $40,000 worth of damage in the boilermaker workshop.
“We were broken into at 10pm on Sunday night,” Mr Bellamy said.
“They cut through a wall using a battery powered grinder to enter and then used a forklift to cause some damage.”
Mr Bellamy added that the brazen thieves then proceeded to spray paint profanity and “CTB 2324” and “Raymond Terrace” across walls and equipment.
“The fact that they painted Raymond Terrace tags everywhere was very strange and some of the profanity that is obviously a bit demeaning to the boys,” Mr Bellamy said.
Mr Bellamy added that an engraver, worth $40,000, was destroyed in the attack, while the thieves made off with an estimated $30,000 worth of tools and equipment, while one employee had his entire tool box stolen.
He added that the attack also saw considerable and senseless damage to property in the shed.
“They actually went out of their way to paint a shovel completely black and then they proceeded to steal mostly battery powered tools, hand tools, an oxy set and other small bits of gear,” Mr Bellamy said.
“But the main concern was that they stole from one of our workshop employees.
“The most expensive thing they stole was probably a pressure washer which is worth around $5,000, but the haul itself was worth around $30,000, but we’re still tallying everything up.”
Mr Bellamy added that the incident had left the company behind schedule.
“The other problem is that it’s hampering our production,” he said.
“We are not where we should be because we haven’t got the gear.”
The company took to social media on Tuesday, sharing a post to their official Facebook page with information about the break-in.
The post also appealed for information as well as offering up a $1000 reward for any tips that possibly lead to the return of the goods and/or the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
At the time of printing, the Facebook post had been shared more than 790 times.
Mr Bellamy said that he was heartened to see such a positive and proactive response from the local community in the wake of such a senseless act, and was hopeful that sharing the post could yield a positive result.
“It was really good to see that Facebook post go a little bit viral,” Mr Bellamy said.
“It’s amazing what social media can do these days.”
Mr Bellamy said that despite the damage to property, he had one simple message for the alleged thieves.
“Just return the equipment – that’s the best way to do it,” he said.
Mr Bellamy added that he would be happy if the items were simply returned to the site, saying “that will be the end of it”.
The Facebook post asks that if anyone has any information, to call Alfabs on 4936 5000.
People with information regarding the break-in are also encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
