Townsville liquor store rammed with stolen car in early morning break

A Townsville man has been jailed after he broke into a local Liquorland by ramming a stolen car repeatedly through the door.

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A TOWNSVILLE man has been jailed after he rammed a stolen car into a bottle shop in the early hours of Monday.

Shaun Anthony Charles Illin, 27, pleaded guilty to three charges in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday – unlawful use of a vehicle, enter premises by break and stealing.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant John Moran said a Mazda CX-3 was stolen on June 21 in a burglary.

Sgt Moran said the Mazda was later used in a fuel drive off at a Caltex service station at Aitkenvale 1.40am on Monday, and Illin was identified in CCTV footage pumping fuel into the car before driving away.

Less than three hours later at 4.20am the Mazda “reversed several times” into a roller door at the Liquorland Royal Hotel, Sgt Moran said.

Illin entered the store and stole a number of Bundaberg Rum and cola cans before returning to the stolen vehicle.

He ran from police when the car was intercepted using tyre spikes at Idalia.

The dog squad tracked Illin and a coofender and found the stolen alcohol in the car.

Magistrate Viviana Keegan said it was “disgraceful offending” and a serious example of unlawful use.

She sentenced Illin to 15 months imprisonment.

He will be released on parole on September 28.

Originally published as Townsville liquor store rammed with stolen car in early morning break