Coffee machine satnav considered after theft

Cafe owners are looking to satellite navigation technology to protect their coffee machines, after another expensive machine was stolen on the weekend.

On Saturday morning, Adeney Milk Bar in Kew discovered that thieves had stolen their custom-painted "pearl white" Slayer coffee machine and three Mazzer grinders, including a customised Robur model. The $40,000 heist halted the cafe's plans to open on Monday.

Coffee Supreme supplied and installed the machine for the cafe owners, siblings James and Cat Laskie. Both are now out of pocket.

"I feel violated because somebody has come into my space and people that I don't know have come in and taken something that is mine," Mr Laskie said.

With some coffee machines valued at more than $20,000, they have become targets for thieves here and overseas. In Vienna, a van load of machines was stolen but later retrieved. In Melbourne in 2005, several vintage machines were stolen; another was taken in Perth two years ago.

In November last year, two Synesso coffee machines were stolen from the then yet-to-open St Ali North cafe in Carlton North.

So angered was he by the theft, St Ali owner Salvatore Malatesta plans to hide satellite navigation technology inside his machines, so the machines could be tracked if they were stolen.

While the industry has rallied around the Laskies – including offering spare machines – Mr Laskie and Mr Malatesta are worried the theft was done by a coffee industry insider. The thieves needed to dismantle plumbing, cut hard-wired cords and know how the machines were installed. Up to four men would be needed to carry the machine, Mr Laskie said.

Mr Malatesta believes his own coffee machines had either been stripped for parts or re-sprayed and had their serial numbers removed.

Mr Laskie said his coffee machine was only the 187th produced by Seattle machine maker Slayer.

"I want people to be aware that these coffee machines are unique. They need servicing every three months or so and Slayer know where they all are, so if it turns up somewhere it shouldn't, they will know something is fishy," he said.

Coffee Supreme director Justin Emerson described the theft as "pretty low".

"To pick on a cafes – they work so friggin' hard and they don't make a huge amount of money," he said. "We may as well have taken the money and set it on fire."

The Laskies now intend to open on Anzac Day with a machine loaned through Coffee Supreme.

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.