Police appeal for information after alleged spree involving break-in, stolen cars

It has been alleged a group of thieves wore disguises during their attempt to steal a car before ramming into a tobacconist shop later in the morning.

Sunshine Coast CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Robert Larry during a press conference. Photo: Jarrod Tutbury

Police are investigating after a car was allegedly used to drive into the front windows of a shop on a popular Sunshine Coast street.

Police received reports just after midnight on May 7 of an attempted vehicle theft from a business on Simpson St, Beerwah.

A police spokesman said a grey Jeep Grand Cherokee and a red Toyota Yaris arrived, and a man entered a Ford Ranger parked by the business.

The owner of the Ford began to chase the stolen car before becoming involved in a physical altercation with the man.

It is alleged the man in the Ford then exited the vehicle, returned to the Toyota, and drove it into the Ford several times before leaving the scene in the Jeep.

Police then received reports of a break-in at Duporth Ave, Maroochydore shortly after 1am.

Police allege officers witnessed two people and the same Toyota Yaris at the business upon their arrival, and it is believed the car had been driven into the front windows of the shop.

Sunny Coast Tobacconist on Duporth Ave has boarded up their shop frontage to replace glass windows which had been shattered in a break-in.

The two people then ran from the scene of the break-in and were picked up by another vehicle, which was pursued by police.

Officers lost sight of the vehicle on the Sunshine Motorway but the Toyota - left at the scene of the break-in - was searched alongside the surrounding area.

It is alleged police found personal belongings, knives, break-and-enter tools, and multiple items stolen from the business.

The Toyota, which was reportedly stolen from an Aspley residence between 7am and 8.15am on May 6, was towed to a police facility for forensic examination.

The Jeep had also been stolen from the same address.

Sunshine Coast CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Robert Larry said in a press conference on Thursday the Duporth Ave shop appeared to a tobacconist.

He said police had followed the vehicle, which was heading southbound, after the break-in for a “period of time”.

Senior Sergeant Larry noted the attempted robbery of the Ford at Beerwah involved at least four people who were disguised with balaclavas.

The owner of the Ford was able to escape the altercation and contact police.

Senior Sergeant Larry said at Duporth Ave police were able to box in one of the two vehicles which had been involved in the alleged offences.

On Thursday morning, Sunny Coast Tobacconist on Duporth Ave had a boarded up shop frontage, with a spray-painted sign stating it was still open.

Police wrote in their statement is was believed multiple people were involved and those people, alongside the Jeep, are yet to be found.

Investigations are continuing and police urge anyone with information to come forward.