Payment machine theft is change for the worse

An image of the stolen change machine.

A CAR wash automatic payment machine weighing 80 kilograms has been stolen from a Eumemmering drive-through.
The change machine worth $20,000 was removed from the Select Car Wash on Princes Highway on Monday 25 January about 3.30am.
Detective Senior Sergeant Rodney Maroney said it’s the first time something like this has happened in the area.
“It was situated as you enter the automated car wash and I’d say a few men would be needed to carry it, probably needed a ute to transport it,” he said.
The machine is 150cm tall and police suspect that once the cash has been removed from the machine it will be found dumped.
“Change inside the machine could be $1000 in coins and notes but it’s the actual unit itself where the value is,” he said.
“The offenders may discard it somewhere and if anyone sees it, we’d like them to contact police immediately.”