A recent spate of thefts at Berwick’s Wombat Gully Plant Farm has left manager Yvonne Peheim and her staff frustrated and upset.By Rebecca Fraser
GREENthumbed thieves have targeted a Berwick nursery for the fourth time in three months, leaving staff disheartened.
The Wombat Gully Plant Farm at the corner of Clyde Road and Reserve Street, and its Hoppers Crossing nursery, were robbed simultaneously on Wednesday night last week.
Valuable plants were taken from the Berwick store and expensive garden fountains and pond equipment were stolen from Hoppers Crossing.
The company’s third nursery at Emerald escaped.
Proprietor Cherylann Biegler said some staff were reduced to tears after discovering the brazen thefts.
“This is the second time both nurseries have been hit on the same night,” she said.
“It’s hard to accept that it’s a coincidence. Someone seems to be out to get us.”
She said security systems at both nurseries had been upgraded and, despite the recent spate of crime, nurseries were not common targets for thieves.
Ms Biegler said that was because the stock was heavy to move and only had limited value.
“It could just be someone wanting an instant garden on the cheap or offloading goods at a market, but I really think there’s more to it than that,” she said.
Manager of the Berwick nursery, Yvonne Peheim, said the most recent incident had occurred between 5.30pm Wednesday and 8.30am Thursday.
Ms Peheim said they had now been forced to consider the use of security surveillance and guard dogs at the nursery to deter further burglaries.
“It is very annoying and unfortunate. It does make you awfully suspicious.
“Especially of people who come in and ask for the more expensive plants but don’t buy them,” she said.
Ms Peheim, who has managed the nursery for six months, said 10 Japanese maples, valued at more than $100 each, had been taken on the Wednesday.
Prior to this, the nursery’s cash till has been targeted and expensive rose bushes and yucca plants stolen.
“Because of the quantities taken it is hard to say whether they will be resold or planted in someone’s garden,” she said.
“This is not the first time this has happened. We were robbed three times in the space of a month before Christmas.”
Ms Peheim said the incidents were upsetting for staff and asked anyone with any information to come forward to police.
“You do get sick of it and it is very frustrating for us. Often we find out by accident that something has been taken when we go and look for something to sell.
“I understand that the police cannot be everywhere at once and there is a lot more important crime and they are understaffed, but something needs to be done,” she said.
Constable Adam Cabot of Narre Warren Police confirmed that the matter was still under police investigation and also urged anyone with information to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to call Narre Warren Police on 97053111 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
