Jacqueline Olivia Williamson charged over alleged Liberty Cannonvale attempted robbery

A woman working on George Clooney’s new film ‘Ticket to Paradise’ allegedly tried to rob a service station within kilometres of the Whitsunday movie set before bystanders tackled her to the ground. SEE THE PICTURES.

A crew member on George Clooney and Julia Roberts’ upcoming blockbuster ‘Ticket to Paradise’ has faced court after allegedly attempting to rob a Whitsunday service station wielding a fake gun.

Jacqueline Olivia Williamson, 25, allegedly wore a black balaclava and pointed a modified gel blaster at a staff member and a customer while trying to steal cash from Liberty Cannonvale on the evening of Sunday, December 12 while she was in town working as a production runner on the Clooney film.

Police allege Ms Williamson demanded both people get on the ground before several bystanders tackled and ‘disarmed’ her.

The JMC Academy graduate, who the court heard had come to the Whitsundays from Atherton for the contract work, was charged with enter premises with intent and attempted robbery, as well as a number of charges related to alleged stolen number plates.

Police allege Jacqueline Olivia Williamson used this modified gel blaster to threaten people during an attempted armed robbery at a Cannonvale service station. Picture: Supplied

Police opposed her release on bail at Proserpine Magistrates Court on Monday, maintaining she was a threat to community safety as well as her own safety and that a previous probation order had provided no deterrence.

“It is clear the defendant’s actions were premeditated, they were well thought out, she’s put steps into place to achieve the outcome,” police prosecutor Sergeant Emma Myors said.

CCTV cameras captured a person in a black balaclava wielding what appeared to be a handgun in the alleged robbery at Liberty Cannonvale about 9.40pm on Sunday, December 12. Picture: Supplied

Defence lawyer Peta Vernon argued, however, strict conditions and mental health care could mitigate any potential risks.

“She’s got herself in a situation because of her mental health and it would seem for no other reason, not because she is likely to continue on with such offending, particularly if she returns to the Atherton area and resumes the care she needs,” Ms Vernon said.

Proserpine Magistrates Court heard at least one child was present when Ms Williamson allegedly entered tried to rob a Cannonvale service station with what appeared to be a deadly weapon. Picture: Supplied

Magistrate James Morton granted bail on the conditions that Ms Williamson live with her parents at Atherton, abide by a 6pm to 6am curfew, report to Atherton police station three times a week, not contact witnesses, and not visit Airlie Beach for any reason except to collect her belongings from her accommodation in the company of police.

CCTV cameras captured customers tackling and restraining an alleged armed robber at Liberty Cannonvale on December 12, 2021. Picture: Supplied

He said the strength of the evidence against Ms Williamson was “overwhelming to the point where if she does anything other than enter a plea of guilty in the district court she’d have to be crazy”.

Discussing the amount of time Ms Williamson should be allowed to collect her belongings from Airlie Beach before leaving the area, Mr Morton said it should be less than 24 hours because “she’s a loose cannon”.

The court heard Williamson had been battling personal issues including gambling addiction and bulimia in the lead up to the alleged offending. Picture: Facebook

“There’s pictures here of a person brandishing, pointing, what can be only taken as a real weapon at two people who look like they are in fear of their life – one’s got a little child there, it’s terrible, absolutely terrible,” Mr Morton said of images captured on the service station’s CCTV.

Ms Williamson’s charges were adjourned to February 2022.