Crime Gold Coast: Cyclist busted on CCTV stealing newspapers in brazen snatch and runs

A serial thief is causing frustration among a tight-knit Gold Coast community as multiple newspapers go missing from a resident’s driveway. SEE THE VIDEO

AN ALLEGED serial thief is causing frustration among a tight-knit Gold Coast community as multiple newspapers go missing from a resident’s driveway.

Mermaid Waters resident Jo-Anne Wilcox took to social media this week, claiming the elder male featured in CCTV she captured has brazenly snatched her copy of the Gold Coast Bulletin on two separate occasions.

CCTV footage shows the man – clad in a bike helmet and a cap underneath to conceal his identity – approach the woman’s home near Rio Vista Blvd on a red bicycle.

A cyclist allegedly steals newspaper from Mermaid Waters driveway. Picture: supplied

While seemingly innocent at first, the man then appears to beeline for Wednesday’s edition of the paper before leaning down and snatching it in a hasty grab and run.

The same man was captured on CCTV earlier this month in a repeat incident – even wearing the exact same outfit and riding the same bicycle.

“Apparently even your newspaper is not safe these days,” Ms Wilcox wrote on September 3.

“This man rode down our street and helped himself to ours at 6am this morning.”

The 18-second clip – one of three shared online – has since captured the attention of frustrated locals who criticised the cyclist’s daring display.

The man rides off with a newspaper in-hand. Picture: supplied

“I’d pay for a double page spread with his image and petty crime being the feature! Pop a screen print on your gate of him, he will pass it and see it,” one user wrote.

While another community member suspects the theft is a common act: “Sadly he looks old enough to know better. I expect this maybe a regular for him.”

Ms Wilcox, who has not laid a complaint with police, did not wish to provide further comment on the matter.

Residents erupt over ‘screeching and swearing’ from ‘drug-fuelled idiots’

September 23, 2021

A NEW venue to open in the bustling Nobby Beach precinct is fuelling concerns residents already upset about noise issues will be subjected to even more.

The former site of Split Upstairs will launch next week as the revamped Tropic Vice under its new owner James Tantsis-Hall and business partner Vincent Valliere – but they maintain it will not be about partying.

Mr Tantsis-Hall told the Bulletin guests could expect an elevated casual dining experience – not the late-night partying that once occurred at the site.

“It’s still going to be a fun and vibrant place where people can come and enjoy the space, but we are focusing on the quality menu and restaurant aspect,” he said.

But not everyone is as excited to welcome more venues to the area, with a mystery resident taking issue with “extreme patron noise” already in Nobby during weekend trading.

Images posted to social media revealed a letter dropped in the mailboxes of fellow residents urged them to lodge complaints to the Officer of Liquor and Gaming.

“We also live relatively close to these bars and have experienced a lot of noise late at night over a long period of time,” the letter stated.

“It’s music, loud screaming and yelling of patrons congregating outside bars during opening hours and after midnight when it’s well past closing.”

REVEALED: SECRET PLANS OF GOLD COAST’S RESTAURANT BOSSES

The owners of Tropic Vice are promising a casual dining experience – not late-night partying. Picture Glenn Hampson

MYSTERY OVER CLOSURE OF GOLD COAST STEAKHOUSE

The mystery writer conceded issues with loud music had improved after complaints but patrons were still proving to be trouble.

“We have recorded the noise over the last months and will make another complaint, but we are frustrated not much changes,” they said.

Long-time resident Kim Nichols said she was “fed up with the noise and the screeching, wandering and swearing.”

She said “drunk and drug-fuelled idiots” roamed streets at all hours most nights of the week and in response last year lodged a police complaint.

“A raid was done as it settled down for a while but now it’s back to what it was.”

Hospitality boss Scott Imlach, whose Nobby stable includes Nightcap plus Bine Bar and Dining, has spent $80,000 soundproofing to the venues.

“We do our best to work together with residents. I’ve handed out my phone number to people if they have any complaints so we can try and work them out,” he explained.

The issues were immediately dealt with when presented at community meetings every few months, he said.

COAST BEACH BAR PLANS ‘TO BE COMPLETE BY END OF YEAR’

Nobby Beach in Miami. Picture: Jerad Williams.

An OLGR spokesperson said two complaints were lodged relating to licensed venues in the area since August 1.

“Both complaints received relate to restaurant venues,” they said.

“OLGR compliance officers attended both venues to undertake compliance monitoring following receipt of the complaints. No issues, including regarding noise obligations, were detected during these visits.”

They said officers reminded licensees of obligations as well as the general importance of operating in a way that does not have an adverse impact on the local community.

“OLGR has open investigations relating to other Nobby Beach venues following noise complaints received prior to August 1. These matters are continuing to be investigated,” they said.

Venues breaching conditions face infringement notices for $689 or prosecution with a maximum penalty of $5514.

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Originally published as Crime Gold Coast: Cyclist busted on CCTV stealing newspapers in brazen snatch and runs