More than $4000 worth of cigarettes were stolen in a string of burglaries targeting small businesses in Launceston and Longford on Tuesday morning.
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Launceston CIB are investigating after two men forcefully entered a Norwood supermarket about 1am. The men unsuccessfully attempted to gain entry to a cigarette locker and caused about $2500 worth of damage to the supermarket, police say.
About 20 minutes later two men attended a supermarket at Waverley. A man wearing a camouflage mask was seen acting suspiciously in the area before fleeing in a white ute.
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At 4.40am two men then forcefully entered a supermarket at Longford, causing about $2500 in damages and stealing about $4000 worth of cigarettes. Police believe the same white ute was involved in all three burglaries.
It comes a day after a stolen car was used to ram the Ravenswood IGA on Monday, causing $50,000 worth of damage.
Two men were seen getting out of the vehicle, taking a number of cigarettes before fleeing the scene.
Tasmania Police Detective Inspector Craig Fox said it was fair to assume the same two men were involved in Tuesday's burglaries.
"It appears as if the offenders in these cases are actively targeting small business to obtain products, such as cigarettes," he said.
"We would like to reassure the community this is taken very seriously by the Launceston CIB.
"We currently have a specific line of inquiry, so we are trying to apprehend suspects as we speak."
Inspector Fox urged businesses to be extra vigilant with security but said it was only a matter of time before those involved in the burglaries were caught.
"If you continue to flaunt the law, then you will be apprehended," he said.
"We've already received some really good information from the public. Hopefully, that continues and these offenders - they're time is coming."
Anyone with information can report it to Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.