Dramatic footage has emerged showing a group of criminals wreaking havoc across 17 suburbs in south-east Queensland. This notorious gang, suspected to be travelling in a stolen luxury vehicle, attempted to rob a tobacconist in Manly West around 2 am but were thwarted by the shop’s security system.
Shortly after their failed attempt, the group successfully targeted a family-run grocer in Wynnum West. The owner, Falguni, described the ordeal, saying, “Around two o’clock, they just broke this door; they entered with the box.” She expressed her distress, labelling the experience as “very stressful” and “like trauma.”
At approximately 2.30 am, the gang struck again, this time breaking into a chemist in East Brisbane, where CCTV footage captured them stealing cash from the register. The chemist’s owner, Jeff Gath, lamented the audacity of the criminals, noting, “Having cameras, they don’t care, they’re all gloved up, masked; they don’t really care.” Gath emphasised the senseless nature of the destruction, highlighting its negative impact on the community and those who work in the area.
Authorities believe these offenders have been systematically targeting businesses throughout south-east Queensland. Their crime spree reportedly began with the theft of a luxury car from a retirement village in Runcorn on April 1, leading to subsequent break-ins across multiple suburbs in Brisbane’s South, Bayside, Logan, and the Gold Coast areas. Detective Senior Sergeant Christopher Lafferty stated that the criminals appeared to be opportunistic, selecting their targets based on vulnerability.
The group was spotted attempting to break into a Yochi in Morningside, but they fled when approached by police, vanishing into the night along Oxford Street. An employee from Yochi, Jessica Souza, expressed her disbelief at the incident, stating it was “not something we expect from the community.”
As investigations into these criminal activities continue, the gang remains at large, and police are urging anyone with information to get in touch with Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000. The rise in these targeted attacks has left local business owners on high alert and the community shaken.