TAMWORTH business owners and shoppers are still counting the cost of a destructive rampage in the city’s CBD that saw eight cars targeted in just a matter of hours.
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Police are hunting a lone vandal believed to be behind the string of thefts and malicious damage to cars with at least two of the vehicles belonging to Peel St business owners.
One of those was Runway salon director Chantel Quinn. Her SUV was hit during the spree when a brick was thrown through the window and cash stolen.
The owner of a neighbouring business also fell victim after her car window was smashed too.
The incident has now prompted Ms Quinn to install CCTV in the alleyway outside her business.
“My car is generally tucked away but it was in the alley [at the time],” she told The Leader.
“My staff member saw him walking through the alley and he sat on the gutter, trying to act like he didn’t do anything.
“Then he picked up a brick and threw it through the window [of the car] and rummaged around and took a couple of hundred dollars.
“He’s also vandalised cars on Bridge St.”
Tamworth police said six cars had been broken into or damaged in the vicinity of Bourke St and Kable Ave, while two cars were hit in Bridge St.
Oxley Sergeant Jacob Cantwell said cash and other goods were stolen from the eight cars, including some that had been left unlocked.
“Inquiries are continuing, police are following CCTV in the area and are appealing for any witnesses who might have seen a male in the area acting suspiciously,” he said.
The man, who was seen at the scene of the stealings, is described as approximately six-foot-tall, in his late teens, wearing a dark cap, a black hooded jumper and grey long pants.
Police believe the cars were hit late on Tuesday afternoon, before business owners discovered the damage when they closed for the day.
She’s now making moves to ensure it won’t happen again.
“We’re going to install cameras ourselves at the back now to protect our cars and our business to make sure it never happens again.
A car is one thing, but a business is another,” she said. Anyone who saw the man acting suspiciously is urged to contact Tamworth police on 6768 2999.