Maleny Jewellers break-in sparks police investigation

Police are investigating a number of break ins across the Sunshine Coast as video footage of a jewellery shop being targeted by axe and sledgehammer-wielding thieves emerges.

Police are investigating a spate of break ins across the Sunshine Coast after a small-town jeweller was broken into by axe and sledgehammer wielding thieves on Wednesday night.

Maleny Jewellers owner Jim Goulton was on his way to a holiday on December 1 when he was notified his shop had been broken into in an overnight smash and grab.

He said the thieves had stolen around $2000 worth of low-value Christmas stock from the display cabinets at the front of the store, but did not actually enter.

It appeared they had caused approximately $5000 worth in damage, he said.

However, Mr Goulton wanted his customers to rest assured their repair items had not been taken.

Maleny Jewellers was broken into by axe and sledgehammer wielding thieves overnight. Photo: Supplied

He said it was an “upsetting” sight, especially being so close to Christmas, which was “a prime time” for the business to make money.

To add insult to injury, this was not the first time Mr Goulton and his wife Sandra, who own the business together, had been broken into, having been targeted more than a dozen times in two decades.

“I’ve been told apparently (that number is) not too bad,” he said.

Meanwhile, a Eumundi pharmacy was also broken into by two thieves overnight.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Tim Byrnes said two men in a grey hatchback allegedly used a crowbar to jimmy the front door and gain access to the building.

There, they took a sum of cash from a register and a safe before setting alarms off and fleeing the scene.

Sergeant Byrnes said police were investigating the possibility the two crimes were linked.

It comes after the Maleny Woolworths and a Peregian Beach IGA were targeted by thieves during break ins in the past two weeks.

Sergeant Byrnes said the Woolworths had been targeted twice, on November 20 and 25, where on both occasions four people smashed their way in and stole cigarettes.

Then, on November 28, a Peregian Beach IGA befell the same fate when two people smashed their way into the store, stole cigarettes and fled.

No arrests have been made for any of the incidents, Sergeant Byrnes said.

Police are continuing to appeal for information regarding these crimes. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.