Police fear out of town criminals are targeting Sunshine Coast businesses
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Break-ins were reported across the Sunshine Coast on Sunday night, with tobacco products worth thousands of dollars stolen from several businesses.
Police said a silver 2008 Toyota Camry was stolen from an address in the Brisbane suburb of Stretton and was driven to a supermarket on Jones Road at North Buderim.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said the occupants of the car broke in and tried to steal cigarettes but were disturbed by staff and fled empty-handed.
“At the same time, members of the group also broke into a neighbouring premises which sells tobacco and stole a large quantity of cigarette products.
“They’ve then used that same vehicle to travel to Woombye where a Spar supermarket was broken in to, and a similar quantity of tobacco products and mobile phones was stolen.
The stolen car, registration 490STP, has not yet been found.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen the vehicle or who have security or dash camera footage to contact them.
Sergeant Mansfield said criminals from other areas appear to be increasingly targeting the Sunshine Coast region.
“We are having an influx of offenders coming from Brisbane, and also the Gold Coast, committing crimes along the way and then ending up here on the Sunshine Coast.
“Currently, this group of people are targeting tobacco-based outlets. On other occasions they attempt to get hold of people’s property and steal vehicles.
“We suspect they’re wholesaling these to other people on the black market.”
