Hope Island Marketplace and Oxenford tobacconist hit during cigarette smash and grab
Multiple business had been targeted in a ram raid spree on the Gold Coast overnight, police sources reveal. Read what they say happened.
Gold Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gold Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A shopping centre and tobacconist have been targeted in break and enters on the Gold Coast overnight with the alleged getaway car torched and dumped on the M1.
The offenders, believed to be in a stolen Nissan Navara ute, smashed through the front doors of the Hope Island Marketplace on Marina Quays Boulevard about 3am on Wednesday, police sources say.
Once inside it’s understood they broke into a tobacconist, a BWS bottle shop and a discount store in search of cigarettes.
The same vehicle and offenders were linked to another tobacconist at Oxenford which was targeted overnight, police sources say.
The Nissan Navara was involved in a rollover on the M1 at Helensvale at about 4.10am in which police believe the offenders deliberately set fire to the vehicle before running off.
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said it was still unclear how the offenders gained entry to the premises and inquiries were ongoing.
Earlier:
Police are searching for the driver of an allegedly stolen car which went up in flames after it crashed and rolled several times on the M1.
Emergency services were called after reports of a rollover on the M1 at Helensvale southbound at 4.10am on Wednesday.
A Gold Coast police spokesman said the car – a Nissan Navara – had veered off the road before rolling.
The driver of the car fled the scene and ran southbound along the M1.
The police spokesman said when officers arrived at the scene, the car was “fully engulfed” in flames.
Officers searched the area for the occupant/s but no one was found.
Queensland Fire and Emergency services were called to the scene and a short time later extinguished the blaze.
Police believe the car was deliberately set on fire and was allegedly stolen from Brisbane suburb, Robertson on June 17 or 18.
Police are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or has dashcam footage of the incident or the moments leading up to it, to contact them at 131 444.
More Coverage
Originally published as Hope Island Marketplace and Oxenford tobacconist hit during cigarette smash and grab
Join the conversation
‘No apology’ for controversial development approvals
A defiant Meaghan Scanlon says she’s unapologetic for her controversial interventions into the Gold Coast housing market. FIND OUT WHY
Read more
Authorities quizzed on stiff penalties for crude vandals
Authorities have been pressed on what consequences await the vandals behind the shocking defacement of trees along Burleigh’s Oceanview track, which drew a larger-than-usual crowd on Sunday morning.
Read more