Rochedale armed robbery: Two men on bail over alleged offence

Two young friends have appeared in court accused of being the masked men responsible for a violent armed robbery on Brisbane’s southside.

Two young men charged with robbing a convenience store armed with a knife and hammer in Brisbane’s outer-south over the weekend have both protested their innocence via their lawyers in court today.

Rochedale man Rhys David Sallis, 18, and Rochedale South man Connor Daniel Ryther, 20, were charged yesterday after police executed a search warrant.

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Police allege the two men held up a 21-year-old employee at the Foodstore Rochedale using a hammer and knife at about 2.15pm on Sunday afternoon.

Police allege the masked pair jumped the counter of the Belmore Dr business and took money from the til and cigarettes before departing on push bikes.

Rochedale South man Connor Daniel Ryther, 20, has been charged with armed robbery. He was granted bail.

Mr Sallis and Mr Ryther were both granted bail today after their respective lawyers told the court their clients denied the charges and only one, Mr Sallis, had participated in a record of interview with police.

Mr Sallis’ lawyer Lex Weddell and Mr Ryther’s lawyer Ashley Ulyatt both pointed out the police affidavits contained no suggestion of forensic evidence linking their clients to the scene.

Rochedale teen Rhys David Sallis, 18, has been charged with armed robbery. He was granted bail.

The court heard the police case rested partly on items of clothing and shoes allegedly found in possession of the pair during yesterday’s search warrant, which allegedly bore similarities to those depicted in CCTV footage of the alleged robbery.

Ms Ulyatt pointed out other gaps in the police case, such as the lack of descriptions of the hammer and knife allegedly wielded by the pair in addition to a dispute over what brand of cigarettes were allegedly taken.

Mr Weddell said since neither he nor Ms Ulyatt had had the chance to see the clothing police relied so heavily on, he was “unable” to assess the strength of the police case.

It was also pointed out the case would be at least a year away from resolution, if that is the course it takes, and likely much longer if witnesses were called to give evidence.

Mr Sallis was bailed to his parents’ Kingston home, while Mr Ryther was bailed to a residence at Kangaroo Point.

Both cases have been adjourned to Court 3 of the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Wednesday, September 30.