Lawnmower thieves issued COVID-19 fines on Brisbane’s bayside

That’s an expensive lawnmower! Two men who stole gardening equipment from a Brisbane house have been forced to pay almost $3000 after being issued COVID-19 fines.

A lawnmower was stolen in a burglary on Brisbane’s bayside.

TWO thieves have been forced to pay one hell of a price for a lawnmower after a burglary on Brisbane’s bayside has resulted in almost $3000 in COVID-19 fines.

A 19-year-old Tingalpa man and a 27-year-old Thornlands man were given $1334 infringement notices by Wynnum Police officers after they were allegedly found to have gone underneath a house in Tamaree Ave in Wynnum and stolen a lawnmower as well as other items during the night on April 17.

The pair were arrested by police yesterday and given their COVID-19 fines as well as being charged with burglary.

Some of the stolen items were recovered by police and the two men will appear in the Wynnum Magistrates Court on July 20.

TEEN HANDED COVID-19 FINE AFTER TAILGATING POLICE

ANZAC DAY IN ISOLATION

It follows a small amount of fines issued on Brisbane’s bayside despite walkers, runners and cyclists still flooding the Esplanade at Wynnum, Manly and Lota, even after ALP Councillor (Wynnum Manly) Peter Cumming recently called the strip “Queen St” and urged residents to exercise at other locations.

People on Wynnum Esplanade. Picture: Annette Dew

Wynnum Police senior sergeant Wayne Richter said he thanked locals for their co-operation with the social distancing restrictions, especially while commemorating one of the biggest days on the calendar in Anzac Day.

“We would like to thank residents for the efforts they made to commemorate Anzac Day from their drive ways and really bringing the community together in what was a very unique experience,” he said.

“During patrols over the weekend we noticed that while public areas were very congested with people walking and exercising, particularly the Wynnum Manly esplanade, the majority of people were still abiding by the social distancing restrictions with very few complaints received.”

Wynnum Police senior sergeant Wayne Richter. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

Queensland Police also launched a new online form today for people to report COVID-19 breaches.

The online form, which is located at police.qld.gov.au/reporting, was created to allow people to easily report breaches of the Chief Health Officer’s (CHO) public health directions from their computer or smart phone during the COVID-19 event.

State Disaster co-ordinator Steve Gollschewski said the community response to the unprecedented measures to reduce the spread of the virus had been very positive.