Townsville caravan parks targeted by thieves in latest spate of crime

Staff at some of Townsville’s caravan parks are carrying mace, self-defence weapons are hidden behind counters and thousands of dollars is being forked out to replace the senseless damage of young thieves. SEE THE SHOCKING CCTV >>

STAFF are carrying mace, self-defence weapons are hidden behind counters and thousands of dollars is being forked out to replace the senseless damage of thieves.

This is the reality at some of Townsville’s caravan parks, which have recently been targeted by thieves, just as the small businesses try to bounce back from the crippling impacts of COVID-19.

Ray Shah.

In a matter of days, at least three tourist parks were hit by thieves rolling up in stolen cars and taking their property in the dead of night.

Big 4 Woodlands Caravan Park company director Ray Shah is one of these victims, saying enough is enough after his park was hit by thieves twice in three days.

“There seems to be no end it to,” he said.

“There is no law to prosecute these people, no plan to sort these kids out. There is no hope.”

On January 3, two thieves broke into the Deeragun park’s office, stole the till, cabin keys, alcohol from the fridge and a charity tin filled with more than $500.

The pair, dressed in hoodies with bandannas over their faces to hide from CCTV, were armed with a knife and a crowbar as they rummaged through the back room and desk at 4.30am.

They scoured the room for more than five minutes, eventually running out, arms full of hard-earned money, and jumped into their getaway car which was found burnt out hours later.

On January 5, more thieves broke into the park cabins and stole car keys.

Mr Shah said repairs to the damaged doors and replacement of all the locks would cost him almost $10,000, but his real concern was for his employees.

“The cost is more to the staff, it’s traumatising,” he said.

CCTV footage of when two thieves broke into a Deeragun caravan park and stole a till, charity box and drinks.

“They are our most important asset, they are under a lot of pressure.”

Coconut Glen Caravan Park manager, Damien, was already struggling after the impact of COVID-19 when a thief broke into their reception area early Wednesday morning.

Footage shows the man rummage around the desk at the Ingham Rd park, before grabbing the till and fleeing.

They got away with only petty cash, but the $500 damage to the glass door and the toll it took on the business was much greater.

Just down the road, two cars were stolen from Coral Coast Caravan Park at Mount St John on New Year’s Eve.

A 28-year-old Gulliver man has since been charged over one of the stolen cars and will face court next week. He has not charged with any of the other crimes.

CCTV footage shows one of the thieves holding a tool used to gain entry into the reception area.

Mr Shah said enough was enough.

“We must be losing business because people see what’s happening, but it’s not our fault,” he said.

“Nothing is being done … I’ve been in the industry 40 years, been the boss of a lot of parks, but over the last 18 months it’s gotten terrible.”

A thief breaks through the doors of a Deeragun caravan park last week.

Queensland Police data reports 60 homes or businesses have been broken into in the Townsville District in the last week, and 318 in the last month.

Tactical Crime Group Inspector Roger Whyte said it was a disappointing, and police were doing everything they could to prevent the recent spate.

“Most police time is consumed by preventing crime and investigating those offenders,” he said.

“At the end of the day, we are here to help the community and keep people safe.”

Insp Whyte said the recent incidents didn’t indicate that crime was out of control, saying it came in peaks and troughs.

Investigations are still ongoing into the break-ins at Woodlands, and nobody has been charged.

Originally published as Townsville caravan parks targeted by thieves in latest spate of crime