Jack Mountford charged over alleged IGA Landsborough armed robbery

A boy at a supermarket has allegedly been bashed and then a teenager robbed him of his chain at knifepoint before brave bystanders took control.

A Gold Coast teenager has been refused bail after he allegedly attacked a 14-year-old boy in a Sunshine Coast hinterland supermarket before robbing him with a knife.

Police allege Upper Coomera man Jack Mountford, 19, bashed a young boy with two other men at the IGA Landsborough before robbing him of a chain at knifepoint.

Bail objection documents outline the 19-year-old’s alleged involvement as the robbery’s “principal offender” during his bail application in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Tuesday, where he faces eight charges including assault in company, armed robbery and public nuisance.

Court documents state the 14-year-old boy walked to the IGA about 5.50pm on Friday with four other young teenagers when they were involved in a disturbance with a woman, who was identified as a friend of Mountford.

As a result, the woman made threats of violence to the group of children, which prompted them to find refuge inside the supermarket.

Screenshots of the alleged armed robbery’s aftermath at Landsborough IGA on Friday.

A short time later, police allege a Toyota Corolla arrived at IGA Landsborough where three men, a woman and a young girl left the vehicle and rushed inside the shop.

It’s alleged by police the three men, which included Mountford, moved directly towards the 14-year-old victim and rained punches down upon him for 10 to 15 seconds.

After the alleged assault, police claim two of the men fled the shop however, Mountford remained as the young boy retreated further within the store.

Police allege the Upper Coomera man pulled a 20cm curved bladed knife from a sheath within his satchel bag and held it to the boy’s chest.

“Give me your chain,” Mountford allegedly said as he pointed to the boy’s silver neck chain.

Fearing for his safety, the alleged victim handed over the jewellery. At this time an IGA employee found the young boy’s phone and asked if it was his.

Mountford appeared in court by video on Tuesday. Picture: Facebook

“That’s mine now,” police allege Mountford said as he snatched the phone. The 19-year-old was then confronted by members of the public and other supermarket employees who demanded him to leave.
Court documents state Mountford moved to the entrance of the IGA while allegedly holding the knife and “lunged” towards a member of the public who was telling him to leave.

Mountford’s female friend moved him to their Toyota Corolla and they left.

Mobile phone footage taken at the scene, obtained by this publication, allegedly showed these moments where Mountford’s knife and the boy’s phone can be seen in his hands.

Police say distinctive tattoos on Mountford’s legs tie him to the robbery, along with mobile phone and security footage and witness accounts.

As a result of the allegedly brazen attack, the 14-year-old boy suffered bruising and abrasions to his face and soreness to his body.

Court documents state Mountford attended Caloundra Police Station on Monday for an unrelated matter when officers observed the same tattoos, silver bracelet and hat the 19-year-old was wearing at the alleged Landsborough robbery, and he was arrested and charged.

Duty lawyer Cherisse Breese applied for Mountford’s bail in court on Tuesday and said he could abide by strict bail conditions.

He was remanded in custody. Picture: Facebook

Ms Breese said the Upper Coomera man left school in year eight, was unemployed and battling a drug addiction, but said his family had come back into his life. She said the 19-year-old also disagreed with some of the alleged police facts.

Police prosecutor Brendan Newman objected to Mountford’s bail, and said it was a strong police case where he “pulled a knife” in front of a child and a member of the public.

Acting Magistrate Raelene Ellis agreed with Sergeant Newman, and said Mountford’s risk of offending again was real and refused his bail.

His matter will return to court on December 15.

Following Mountford’s arrest, the mother of two of the teenagers involved said the alleged fight was messy.

She said her children were yet to provide their witness statements to police.

“My two kids were with three others. The kids laughed at my son because he was acting silly and another girl (who was by herself at this stage) started yelling at the kids saying they were laughing at her,” the mother alleged.

“The kids tried to get to IGA and told her to leave them alone but she called her boyfriend and his friends who arrived.”

She said at this point a fight is alleged to have broken out.

“Some customers and staff got them outside, which is when the video was taken.”

The distraught mother said her children were staying with their father at the time and had popped out to purchase some lollies after dinner as a Friday night treat.