“I have had enough, I’m going to end up having another heart attack,” Mr Archer said.
“They’ve been cutting my fence, knocking off batteries for 12 months now; I get hit once or twice a week.”
Mr Archer said the batteries were worth between $600 and $700 a tonne.
He estimates he’s had around 20 tonnes stolen from the Campbell St business over the past year.
Despite installing CCTV, thieves continue to return, accessing the property from other points to avoid detection.
Mr Archer says he has footage of people entering the property and removing the batteries to the footpath, before a car with a trailer attached appears and is loaded up and driven away.
“I can’t keep anything outside at all, they just keep doing me over,” Mr Archer said.
“Lots of workshops are getting hit.”
Mr Archer said it was frustrating to be targeted and face bills to repair the damage, but more disheartening was that those who benefited from the funds he raised were missing out on further support.
“It really breaks your heart,” he said.
“I don’t do it for me, I do it for everyone else.
“It takes a community to help the community.”
Shepparton police are investigating the incidents and urge anyone who has seen anyone moving batteries with a trolley in the area, or has CCTV or dashcam footage that might be helpful, to contact Constable Ruby Russell at Shepparton Police Station on 5280 5777, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au
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