Aherns Fruit Market in Foster was targeted by an attempted break-in on the night of Monday 16 June, marking the third security incident at the family business in just over two years.
Director Sam Bright reported that an offender attempted to enter through a side door at 9:45pm on June 16, but was deterred by screaming alarms and security lights. Nothing was stolen and no damage occurred, with the intruder fleeing quickly when the alarm system activated.
"It was a bit of a weird one," Bright said, noting the offender was barefoot and made little effort to avoid security cameras, sitting in his car outside the shop and checking bins before the break-in attempt.
The business said that they had an update from Wonthaggi Police on 26 June, stating that the “sneaky friend from last Tuesday has been located in another state and will be charged with loitering with the intent to break in (along with a string of other unrelated charges).”
The incident follows two previous successful break-ins that caused significant damage. In November 2023, thieves destroyed cash registers, stole ipads and vandalised fridges, forcing the store to close temporarily. Similar damage happened during the first break-in, which occurred in February 2023.
Despite police responding to the incidents at the time, Bright said that they haven’t received any news on the 2023 break-ins since they occurred. When contacted by the Prom Coast News for an update on the investigations, the police media unit stated that they had “no further update re. The criminal damage and burglaries in Foster on 17 November 2023.”
The attempted break-in reflects broader regional crime concerns, with Crime Statistics Agency figures showing criminal incidents in South Gippsland surged 11.2 percent in the 12 months to March 2025.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien, said the statistics confirm what locals already know – "crime is getting worse by the day" and "our region is being hit hard."
