17-year-old boy charged following investigation into five tobacconist ram raids in same night

Police investigating the ram raid of a Helensvale tobacconist and several others in the same night have made an arrest. Read the latest.

Police have charged a teenager as part of their investigation into the alleged ram raid of a Gold Coast tobacconist and four others on the same night.

It’s alleged a group of males used a black dual-cab ute to ram the front doors of the Top Tobacconist on Discovery Drive in Helensvale just after 1am on June 26.

CCTV release by police as part of their investigation into the ram raids. Picture: Queensland Police Service

In a statement a Queensland Police Service (QPS) spokesman said the group entered the store and took a number of items.

About an hour later, the same vehicle was believed to have been used in a second ram-raid at a business on Logan Rd, Stones Corner.

Between 3 and 3.45am a group of offenders targeted businesses on Cavenidish Road, Coorparoo and Downs Street, North Ipswich.

Both break and enters involved a number of people armed with crowbars, according to the QPS spokesman.

Repairs being carried out at Helensvale's Top Dog Tobacconist after it was ramraided in late June. Picture: Charlton Hart

Police launched an investigation into the incidents and possible links with another break and enter at a business in Collingwood Park earlier in the evening.

Officers have since charged a 17-year-old boy from Crestmead, near Logan, with enter premises and commit indictable offence by break.

Investigations are still continuing to locate others believed to have been involved.

Police are urging anyone with information to come forward.

Originally published as 17-year-old boy charged following investigation into five tobacconist ram raids in same night