“Eden Police are investigating a series of break and enters, and malicious damage, that occurred over the weekend of May 16 and 17 in the commercial area,” Senior Constable David Bates confirmed. 

“Offender/s broke into a car sales business in Imlay Street. 

"Access was gained by forcing a rear door. 

"Alarms were activated, alerting security. 

"The offender/s fled prior to arrival.” 

The trouble-makers kept running, leaving a wake of damage.

Worst affected was Eden’s Gas and Gear camping shop, with the window fronting Imlay Street smashed open and items stolen. 

“The glass is really heavy and sharp, so it’s incredible they didn’t hurt themselves,” Melanie Warren, owner of Eden’s Gas and Gear, said. 

"We haven’t found any blood, so we think they just kicked the hole in.

“They stole a gazebo weight and wall kit, and left behind drug paraphernalia including a broken bong.”

Strangely enough, the thieves didn’t seem interested in their stolen loot, abandoning the items in the grounds of the nearby primary school. 

In doing so, they unwittingly left behind valuable clues. 

“The police arrived and took away evidence, which will be assessed by the DNA team for fingerprints,” Ms Warren said. 

From the timing of security alarms, it now seems the path of destruction began higher up Imlay Street at the Eden Newsagency.

“I was woken up by a call from our security company just before midnight on Sunday night,” Lynn Slater, owner of the newsagent, recalled.

“When I arrived I found lots of police driving around like madmen. 

"But apart from that the street was empty; no cars, no people. It was eerie.”

Ms Slater inspected her property and was relieved to find just the front door tampered with, but no entry. 

The only thing out-of-the-ordinary was a sheet of paper left by Sapphire Security, reporting the newsagent’s alarm had also been triggered on Saturday night. “But I don’t think that was anything. Sometimes a spider can accidentally activate the alarm sensor. It happens quite a bit,” Ms Slater said. “I just pull clothes over my pajamas and drive over. If the problem’s in the front section, I just come myself. But if it’s around the back where it’s dark, I drag my hubbie out of bed too, and bring him with me.”

 On Sunday night, hubbie was left to sleep through the excitement as his wife did the detective work. Ms Slater returned home safely soon afterwards, none the wiser.

Little did she know that Sprout Cafe, just two doors down, had also been attacked.

“I came into work at 7am and immediately saw the damage to the front door,” owner, Karen Lott, said. 

“I rang the police straight away and reported it. But it’s nothing serious. 

"It’s just a silly act, an inconvenience. 

"We’ve been here two-and-a-half years, and this is the first incident. We feel lucky.” 

Up the hill at the Matilda Petrol Station, the mood was darker as owner Richard Barker stood with hands on hips, inspecting two holes punched into his glass door, and a gaping hole to the right of the entrance.

“The alarm company rang us at 3am, after our sensor picked up movement inside the building,” Mr Barker said.

“I was a bit nervous driving up, but I’ve been in the game for years, and knew that only the foolhardy would still be sticking around. 

"The alarm got rid of them, and nothing was stolen.”

In the end, Mr Barker was much angrier at the perceived lack of town security than the breakage itself. 

“I called for help at 3am, but the call was diverted to the police station in Bateman’s Bay, and the cops didn’t show up here until 9am,” Mr Barker said. 

“It’s ridiculous there isn’t police support at night. Our local cops do their best, but they’re seriously understaffed. It’s an issue I’m going to raise with our local MP.”

While Mr Barker takes up his case, Eden Police are now very much ‘on the job’ as they strive to bring the offenders to justice. 

“Police have taken reports and are investigating these incidents,” Senior Constable Bates said. 

“And forensic examinations are being conducted.”