In July, Emerald business owners were left reeling after a series of overnight break-ins targeted three shops along Kilvington Drive.
Hush Beauty and Skin, Bill’s Fish ‘n’ Chips and The Laughing Fox Cafe were all hit, with damage discovered around 5am on Thursday, 24 July, when a passer-by reported smashed storefronts. The break-ins involved vandalism and alleged theft, leaving owners and staff shocked as they arrived to assess the damage.
Hush Beauty and Skin owner Jessica Callahan said it appeared a sledgehammer had been used in an attempt to access cash, adding it was the second break-in the business had faced in six months. Staff spent the morning cleaning up broken glass and damage inside the treatment space.
Despite damage to its front door, The Laughing Fox Cafe opened for business the same day. Owner Ali said staff were initially shaken but determined to keep going. “We are open today, better to show that we are strong,” he said. The cafe has operated in Emerald for six years and had never experienced a break-in before.
The incidents followed reports of similar break-ins earlier that week in nearby Kallista and Olinda, raising concerns among Dandenongs business owners.
Victoria Police confirmed Cardinia Crime Investigation Unit was investigating the Emerald burglaries, saying it was believed the three businesses were broken into sometime overnight. The investigation remains ongoing.
For the Emerald community, the July break-ins were a stark reminder of the vulnerability of local traders, but also highlighted their resilience in the face of disruption.
