Serial break-ins plague Geelong West restaurant strip
Image: Squires Loft Geelong
A popular Geelong steakhouse has fallen victim to its third burglary in under two years, with surveillance footage capturing a distinctive-looking thief raiding the bar in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Squires Loft restaurant in Geelong West was the latest target in what is becoming an increasingly troubling pattern of criminal activity along the Preston Street precinct. CCTV footage, shared to the restaurant's Facebook page on Sunday night, shows a man sporting what appears to be a rat-tail hairstyle swiftly removing bottles of spirits from behind the bar, having allegedly gained entry through a window.
Restaurant manager Brett James confirmed the incident, and said the community response to the footage had been overwhelming.
"We're grateful for their support," he told The Geelong Advertiser.
Victoria Police confirmed an investigation is underway, with a spokesperson telling The Geelong Advertiser: "Investigators have been told a man broke into the premises and stole several bottles of alcohol. The investigation into the incident is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers."
The latest breach follows a brazen May 2024 incident at the same venue, in which alleged offenders removed a safe exceeding 100 kilograms and containing thousands of dollars in cash.
The troubles at Squires Loft are not isolated. Just 100 metres away, Model Citizen
Beauty owner Sara-Jane McPherson spoke out in January after her salon was targeted four times within months. Despite investing $2,000 in security cameras, she told The Geelong Advertiser the measures offered limited protection.
"We have to lock the doors while we are in the salon to make sure people don't come in and just take things," she said, adding: "It is like the Wild West down here at the minute."
Her sentiments were reportedly shared by other neighbouring business owners, many of whom declined to speak publicly out of fear.
Jonathan Jackson, 3rd March 2026
