By Emily Chapman Laing
A local Cranbourne business has seen multiple break-ins since the year began.
Let’s eat @ MANU’S, a multi-ethnic dessert truck situated at Cranbourne Public Hall, has been the victim of three break-ins this year.
The truck is owned by cousins Manu and Rohan, who created the business in October 2021 with their first truck in Clayton.
In September 2022, the Clyde locals expanded and opened a second truck in Cranbourne.
Surrounded by other food truck vendors and the Cranbourne Public Hall, the area seemed safe.
Manu and Rohan created a booming business, building their outdoor seating space themselves to create a family friendly environment.
“Literally all our work has gone into making this place,” Manu said.
“We thought it would be a hit, and it is.
“But the thing is, if you keep breaking in, no one’s going to feel safe to come.”
After taking their first ever week off between 2 January and 9 January, they came back to find themselves victim of the first break-in.
“The first time we had money stolen,” Manu said.
“And our POS system was stolen, and the phone was stolen that we get orders on.
“And they opened the freezer doors and let stuff melt.”
The culprits stole approximately $1500.
Over the course of the three break-ins, the pair has lost almost $10,000 between the thefts and the repair costs.
After installing a deadlock, Manu and Rohan were hoping that would be the end of it.
Instead, the offenders tried to break the deadlock, and when they weren’t successful, started targeting other food trucks nearby.
“They tried to open [the kebab truck],” Rohan said.
The public hall was also allegedly affected.
“The previous week [before the first break in] was a very good week,” Manu recalled.
“People can see that from the outside. There’s always people sitting here eating food and it’s always busy up here.
“It could be that they thought we had left the cash there.”
Manu and Rohan’s second theory is that they were targeted as their truck door is most concealed from view.
While the truck has security camera footage, it has proved futile in identifying the offenders.
“They’re wearing hoodies and masks,” Manu said.
“It makes it impossible.”
On top of the stress of having their business invaded and the financial costs of reparations, the duo say they have been waiting over a month for a police response to the initial break-in.
After the latest break in, Manu said she followed up with Victoria Police.
“The third time I called and complained,” she said.
“And they said it might not be urgent, so they might not send anyone to talk to us.”
They said Crime Scene Services did show up, hours later, after Manu and Rohan’s handyman had fixed the ventilation grate so they could continue to trade.
“All they said was ‘Don’t keep any cash on the premises’,” Manu said.
“They said we could send them the footage, but they hadn’t given us any contact details.”
Police were contacted about Manu and Rohan’s concerns.
The effects have been devastating for the business in both Cranbourne and Clayton, and for Manu and Rohan’s sense of safety.
“Because this keeps happening, we have to close both of the trucks because both of us need to be here to fix the issue,” Manu said.
“So we’re losing money.
“[Rohan] doesn’t want me to be here alone – we’re not feeling very safe here at all.”
Rohan’s safety concerns also encompass himself, and the other food truck owners.
“Everyone is scared to stay,” he said.
“We used to stay here until one or two [o’clock]. From that day, we close at 12 and by 12 we are gone.”
Luckily, some local supporters of the business have stepped in to lend a hand, checking on the business where possible.
“People have been very helpful and very supportive,” Manu said.
This community engagement comes as no surprise, as Manu and Rohan go out of their way to give back to the community.
“We do free food drives,” Rohan said.
“Many homeless people come here for free drinks.
“It’s a community thing.”
Victoria Police has released information on the break-ins to the public.
Police confirmed they received a report regarding the burglaries and are investigating.
“We’re not an old business,” Manu said.
“We don’t have money to fall back on, this is our blood, sweat and tears.
“This is two years of hard work.”
“Whatever we are earning for the last month we are putting into repairs,” Rohan added.
Manu and Rohan continue to trade with the hope that their business will no longer suffer as a target for criminal behaviour.
