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THE owner of St Arnaud Mail and Gifts has thanked the community for its support since the break-in.
Helen Rigby and her husband Peter partially reopened the business on Thursday morning, and hope to be fully operational by 1.30pm to 2pm.
Mrs Rigby said she was thankful no one was at the business when the burglary happened.
She said a stolen car rammed the gates at the back of the post office to gain entry to the site, then broke in the back door.
"They vandalised every room in the post office," she said.
"They stole parcels, mail and retail items to the tune of TVs, phones, toys, jewellery and IT gear."
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Mrs Rigby said they were yet to add up the cost, but she guessed it was between $20,000 and $25,000.
She said when the offenders left, they took a five-litre bottle of hand sanitiser to use as an accelerant to set the stolen car on fire.
"The car's melted into the asphalt in the backyard," she said.
An Australia Post motorbike was "relocated" by the alleged offenders, but was found and up and running again on Thursday.
Mrs Rigby said she had no idea what had become of the business's postie van, a Volkswagen Caddy.
Police believe the offenders stole the vehicle after torching their original car.
"Peter, my husband, was on his way in when he saw the van going the other way," Mrs Rigby said.
She said he quickly did a U-turn to see what was happening. "He tried to catch them but they sped off," she said.
The van appeared to be heading towards Bendigo.
Mrs Rigby said the burglary was heartbreaking.
"We're devastated and feel basically violated," she said.
"We're exhausted. It's going to take us time to get over this emotionally."
But she said the most important thing was she, her husband and the staff were safe.
Mr and Mrs Rigby employ three staff. An Australia Post employee and three contractors also work at the site.
"Thankfully we were at home and it wasn't an armed robbery - as far as we know there were no weapons," Mrs Rigby said.
"If it's going to happen it's the best-case scenario. We're thankful."
Police were on scene on Wednesday until about 4pm.
"The police have got a lot of evidence from here and have done a fantastic job," Mrs Rigby said.
She said the offenders had left a "hell of a mess" but staff and family had come together to help clean it up.
"There were five of us working flat-out until 9pm last night," she said.
The small community has pulled together to support the Rigbys.
Mrs Rigby said on Thursday morning businesses and customers had delivered coffees, scones, sandwiches and cake to the staff.
She said businesses had also offered items to help the post office get back on its feet quicker.
"We've had messages by the hundreds from friends and family and customers," she said.
"It's typical of a small community. We're are so lucky to live in a small country town.
"When the chips are down, people come together to help."
It's not the first time Mrs Rigby has been on the receiving end of town's kindness, either.
Fifteen years ago, her home burnt down. In 2011, she was flooded out.
"Now this. Every time the community gets behind us," she said.
Earlier
POLICE have called for witnesses after St Arnaud's post office was broken into early Wednesday morning.
Offenders allegedly broke into St Arnaud Mail and Gifts between 3.30am and 4.30am.
Ararat Detective Senior Constable Caroline Blackley said the suspects had arrived at the site in a car stolen from Melbourne's east.
The car, a Toyota Camry, was torched at the site.
Detective Acting Sergeant Jason Boyd said the offenders broke into the store and stole a variety of items.
"There was damage but it was mostly just to gain entry," he said.
The offenders then allegedly stole a white Volkswagen Caddy from the post office.
Police believe they fled in the direction of Bendigo.
The car is yet to be located.
Police urged anyone who saw anything, or with dashcam footage, to call the Ararat Crime Investigation Unit on 5355 1520, Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or to submit a confidential report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au.
More to come
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