SESSIONS Asphalt in Wangaratta has been left gutted this week as burglars broke in and stole around $400,000 worth of machinery and equipment.

Business owner David Sessions said at around 4:30am on Sunday, September 29, his Gibson Street business was targeted by balaclava-wearing thieves.

He said the offenders spent around three hours at his business grabbing as much as they could, loading equipment into the businesses Toyota Landcruiser, Holden utility and truck before driving away with each of the vehicles.

Equipment they stole ranged from the business Bobcat to tools, a quad bike and iPads.

Mr Sessions said the “ruthless” offending was gut-wrenching for his business and its eight employees.

“It’s just a pity mongrels come and steal stuff in your town, it wrecks everyone,” he said.

“The blokes who work for me aren’t working today [Monday] because we’re trying to get it all up and going again.

“We’ve got to replace a truck and a ute, it’ll cost us a lot more money than what we’ll get back for it.

“I know most of it is insured but we all pay extra insurance.”

The Landcruiser was later found burnt out at Meadow Creek at around 11:50am that day while the truck containing the Bobcat was located crashed into a tree on Reith Road, around three kilometres from the business.

The crash caused extensive damage to the truck, while the Holden utility was subsequently found abandoned on Delloro Road.

Mr Sessions said he was enjoying the long weekend at Mitta Mitta when he first heard of the incident.

“I didn’t get phone service until 10 o’clock when my son rang, he and his two sons were looking for them on Reith Road and they found them,” he said.

“He gave chase out towards Snow Road way and the police took over, they (thieves) were swerving on the road into oncoming traffic.”

Mr Sessions said while all of the equipment stolen had been recovered, he was more than $100,000 out of pocket to cover costs for what he had lost when he was back operating as of Tuesday.

Wangaratta police detectives are investigating the matter, with at least two suspected offenders remaining at large.

Detective Senior Constable James Howarth said it was believed the offending was related to a reported hit and run on Docker Street at around 8am on Sunday morning, which left two parked vehicles extensively damaged.

Anyone with information about the incidents can call police on (03) 5723 0888 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.