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Vandals strike By Afraa Kori Police are investigating after six businesses were damaged in Pakenham on 25 February. It is believed the businesses had their windows damaged on Main Street sometime overnight. At this stage, nothing is believed to have been stolen and the investigation remains ongoing. Both small and large businesses in the area, including retailers, service providers, and community organisations, have been affected by theft. Jackie Farrington’s store, Lazy Frog Gifts suffered significant damage, with two panes of glass broken, leaving actual holes. The impact was severe enough to scatter glass both inside and outside the building. “I got a text message this morning saying that damage had been done and one of the shop owners had sent me a photo. Then I’m driving and my heart is racing, waiting to get in to have a look to see just how much damage is there.” “Then when I go home tonight, I’m going to be thinking, am I going to walk into another two panels of glass being popped overnight? Are they going to come back and do it again to the two panes that they didn’t get last night? That sort of thing just lingers in the back of your head now.” When she looks at the “willful damage”, Jackie finds herself asking why, though she knows some questions may never have an answer. “It’s very frustrating and heartbreaking. I’m disappointed and angry. All those emotions all rolled into one. I just wish that the world wasn’t in such a condition it’s in.” “They haven’t done it to break in to steal, they did it for the sake of damage. I can’t see the point behind it. It’s one of those pointless things to do.” “It’s probably between $2-3k per pane of glass, so if we didn’t have insurance, then you’re looking at an easy $6-$7k. We’ve got insurance, but that doesn’t make it right.” “All I’ve been doing today is dealing with insurance agencies and people coming to fix the glass. I’ve been rearranging the space so that they can get in to fix the windows and get things boarded up. So it sort of gives you a bit of a nonday in your business as well. It just takes up your whole day!” Owner Sandra Evans said Toyworld Pakenham was also targeted, adding to existing challenges. She had just dealt with a water leak and was set to have her flooring repaired today. Now, instead of one claim, she must file two separate
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Renee
Sandra Evans and Melissa Holden From Toyworld Pakenham and Little Munchkins Boutique. (Gary Sissons: 462049)
Toyworld Pakenham and Little Munchkins Boutique.
Lazy Frog Gifts.
Australia Post Pakenham.
insurance claims within a week, creating further disruption. “When all this took place, I spent two hours on the phone, going to insurance places and the
police,” she said. “The police came and we had to shut the shop because the glazier came and our windows were unsafe. They thought they were going to explode.
So we had to shut the shop, which then made our
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