Jack Afamasaga ‘naively’ takes part in Beenleigh Turkish shop hold up, narrowly escapes prison

A 21-year-old basketball player from Logan joined a terrifying armed robbery where death threats were made and a bullet was placed on a counter, telling the court it was a ‘stupid and naive decision’.

A young man who ‘naively’ went along with two older men in an armed robbery has faced court for the incident involving a gun, death threats and $5k in stolen cash.

Jack Afamasaga, 21, pleaded guilty in Beenleigh District Court to robbery with company.

The court heard the Beenleigh resident went along with two older men, aged 32 and 38 to a Turkish shop and kept look out while the two men threatened a store cashier with a gun and stole $5k cash.

The robbery happened on February 3, 2021 in Beenleigh.

The court also heard one of the co-accused brandished a gun and placed a bullet on the counter and threatened to kill the store cashier.

The court heard Afamasaga had no knowledge of the gun and did not steal any money but he was paid $50 by the co-accused to keep a lookout.

Jack Afamasaga faced Beenleigh District Court

A citizen called police when they saw the three men leaving the shop and they were arrested with the offending all captured on CCTV footage.

Judge Craig Chowdhury took note of Afamasaga’s young age and active participation in the community with playing basketball and attending church.

“If you were older and had any more criminal history you’d be going to jail,” he said.

“This type of offence is very serious and has the hallmarks of extortion and a shake down.

“I don’t want to see you in the future, please don’t come back to any court.”

Afamasaga was sentenced to a period of probation for two years and no conviction was recorded.