By Afraa Kori
Brentwood Milkbar in Berwick has been targeted by burglars twice in less than a week, bringing the total number of break-ins to four since the family took over the business in 2024.
Southern Metro Crime Squad detectives have arrested a teenager following a series on burglaries in Melbourne’s southern suburbs on 24 March.
Officers spotted an allegedly stolen car linked to the incidents parked outside an address in Cranbourne North about 1.45pm.
A 17-year-old boy was seen returning to the car and arrested by a Dog Squad member.
The Cranbourne West teenager has been interviewed in relation to an alleged cigarette burglary at Brentwood Milkbar around 11.30am on 24 March.
Detectives from Southern Metro Region Crime Squad are currently exploring links to further incidents.
The male was released pending further enquiries.
This has been a traumatic event for the staff, who were allegedly threatened by the masked offender with a large kitchen knife.
“I really couldn’t keep track by now, like, which exact day and time, but all I know is that it keeps happening,” the family spokesperson said.
“It just keeps happening. It could happen today, for all I know. It’s caused a lot of stress and we’ve had to change the opening hours. One of the staff members has decided to temporarily stop working there, just out of fear for their safety.
“They’re always very young, always come in a group, and they continue to target not only our Milkbar, but other retailers across the area. It honestly feel like nothing much has been done about it and the robbers know they can come and get away with it.”
The family spokesperson believes there are many reasons why their business has been targeted.
“I heard some sort of tobacco war happening. But I know that cigarettes are very expensive right now and they are in higher demand,“ they said.
“It’s obviously the cost of living going up. People feel like they can’t afford things, and then you have a small milk bar that is a little secluded. There’s not too many people that come by so we become a very easy target in that sense.“
The family is unsure where they went wrong despite taking the right precautions after previous incidents.
They’ve already installed security gates and walls within the milk bar, but the offenders continue to find ways around them.
Now they have to invest in more security measures to prevent future break-ins and protect their family business.
“Even if insurance can cover it, it still causes a lot of mental stress. It raises questions like, ’Should we keep it? Should we not keep it? Is this even worth continuing?’ It’s conversations like that we have to keep having. There’s just this constant feeling of insecurity and concern whenever someone is working,“ the spokesperson said.
One of their biggest concerns is that crime rates are not decreasing and are not being properly addressed, leading to ongoing losses for businesses and livelihoods.
“It’s tough for the police and government to do anything about it, and often, it’s just up to the businesses themselves to take action into their own hands. But even then, to what extent can you even defend yourself?“ They said.
The family spokesperson warns that even with a machete ban, offenders will still threaten staff and commit robberies.
“Our staff needs support! What about those who aren’t using machetes but continue to rob? What are the consequences for them? Are they just going to get bailed?“
Another concern is that the milkbar is located near a school and kindergarten, which has parents feeling unsafe for their children and questioning what is being done to address the issue.
“From what I can see from the community, there’s a lot of anger and frustration. Obviously no one in the community is happy about the situation.
“Everyone is just wondering, ’What is being done about these people?’ I also feel a bit unsafe in my own living space.
“It just feels unsafe now in Berwick. It doesn’t feel like I can walk around freely without a care. I always have to be hypersensitive and aware of my surroundings.“
The family who owns the milkbar, the staff, and the wider community are calling for more action to be taken by both the court system and the government.
“The police are also severely understaffed, they are not provided enough resources but they are doing the best with their resources. I can say though, they could always do a better job.
“A major part is due to the court system just allowing people to be released without much disciplinary action. The government as well for not taking a heavier hand on resource efforts.”
The advice shared for other business owners and the community is to prioritize safety and have a system or procedure in place for handling incidents.
“Keep yourself safe and just remember that you have some sort of procedure or system in place in case of such an incident.“
“Anything can be replaced. But if something happens to you, there’s no going back.“
