Ipswich detectives have charged a 33-year-old man with 16 counts of break and enter

It will be alleged a man broke into at least 16 businesses over the course of four months, often gaining entry through the ceiling.

Police have seized CCTV footage of one of a series of incidents of break and enter allegedly committed by the same Ipswich man between March and July.

Ipswich detectives have made a breakthrough in their investigations into a series of break and enters at businesses across the city over the past four months.

A 33-year-old man from Ipswich was arrested on Thursday and charged with 16 counts of break and enter, following on from work by the Ipswich District Property Team.

It will be alleged the man broke into businesses including sporting goods retailers, cafes, construction firms, supermarkets, and council property, entering through the ceiling on at least five occasions.

Police will allege safes were accessed and money was stolen, in addition to electronics and tools over a period stretching from March to July.

CCTV footage was obtained from some of the crime scenes.

Police arrested the man in Brisbane on Thursday, and he was later charged with 31 offences including enter premises and commit an offence, enter premises with intent, attempt to enter premises, unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, stealing, wilful damage and other minor offences.

Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch acting Senior Sergeant Teina Middleditch said investigations were continuing, and it was possible the man could be linked to more offences.

“(It is alleged) He has scaled the outside of some of the businesses and forced entry. At least four or five times he has entered through the ceiling,” she said.

“One of the businesses was broken into on two occasions.”

The accused was held in the Ipswich Watch-house on Thursday night and was expected to front Ipswich Magistrates Court on Friday.