Burglars raided three vans parked in a hotel car park and stole more than £12,000 worth of equipment.
They targeted the vehicles overnight at Colchester Feering Travelodge near Kelvedon on the A12 between February 16 and 17.
A white Volkswagen Caddy had its back window and metal grid smashed and thieves took a receiver and transmitter from a traction set worth £11,000.
A gas stove worth £30 was also taken.
The burglars smashed the rear window of a red Volkswagen Caddy and stole tools worth £1,000 and attempted to break into a white Vauxhall Vivaro.
They managed to bend the Vivaro’s rear door with a crowbar and broke the door handle but could not break in.
A spokesman for the hotel said: "We can confirm that in the early hours of February 16 an isolated incident took place in the car park of our Colchester Feering hotel, which involved a small number of vehicles being broken into.
"We deeply regret this incident took place and the police have carried out a full investigation."
If you have any information, call Braintree Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.
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