South Burnett man accused of armed robbery found hiding in cupboard

A young man accused of 54 crimes across the Gympie region and South Burnett, including armed robbery and threatening an old man and a cop with a shovel, was found by police hiding in a cupboard.

Among the 54 offences the man is alleged to have committed is armed robbery on July 28, where a 90-year-old victim was threatened with a shovel at a business in Woolooga before a quantity of cash was stolen.

A man alleged to have broken into multiple homes and businesses across the Gympie region and South Burnett and threatened a police officer with a shovel was on Thursday arrested and charged with more than 50 offences.

The 21-year-old man was taken into custody at an address in Cherbourg on Thursday morning after being found hiding in a cupboard.

It is the alleged the man committed a large number of property offences throughout the South Burnett, as well as Tiaro, Kilkivan, Woolooga, Gympie, Ban Ban Springs and Gayndah since the start of last month.

Among these offences was an alleged armed robbery on July 28, where a 90-year-old victim was threatened by the man with a shovel at a business in Woolooga before a quantity of cash was stolen.

It is further alleged on the same day the man ran at a police officer with a shovel, forcing the officer to take evasive action to avoid serious injury.

Police will also allege the man targeted vulnerable victims living alone, and that he broke into their homes before stealing vehicles which were then used in further offences.

A 21-year-old Cherbourg man has been charged with a total of 54 offences, including one count each of armed robbery, dangerous operation of a vehicle and serious assault police, as well as multiple counts of stealing, burglary, enter premises with intent and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He was due to appear in Kingaroy Magistrates Court on August 5.

Detective Acting Inspector Paul McCusker of Darling Downs Crime and Support Services said the officers remained committed throughout the investigation to achieving an outcome for all victims involved.

“This is a great result for our local communities and sends a strong message that crime will not be tolerated,” he said.

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