Greenbank crime: Business owners fed up with increase in Break-ins around Middle Road and Pub Lane

Businesses owners in a leafy suburb south of Brisbane say they are in constant fear following a relentless spate of break-ins in the area. SEE THE FOOTAGE

Businesses owners in Greenbank, south of Brisbane, have had enough of the rising break-ins in the area saying they are reliving their fears every week with no end in sight.

Greenbank Takeaway owner Rafick Zinneddine told The Courier-Mail on Tuesday he was worried his shop would be targeted again after he was broken into on February 5, January 30 and again on January 17.

On Wednesday Greenbank Takeaway was hit again

The shops nearby on Sheppards Drive have also been hit multiple times in the past few months with Greenbank Pizzeria and Puma Petrol Station targeted on January 30 and February 5.

Statistics from an online crime map show about 135 offences were committed in the past three months in a tiny pocket of the suburb – with clusters around Pub Lane and Middle Road. Specific clusters within the same period also include 49 offences near Pub Lane and 19 near Middle Road.

Some 57 offences varying from unlawful entry, property damage, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, other theft and trespassing were committed within the past month.

“Its honestly gotten bad, we wake up, we have a group chat between the three shops because the servo comes in first, they instantly send us photos of something being broken into so one of us comes in straight away,” Mr Zinneddine said.

Greenbank Takeaway owner Rafick Zineddine has been broken into three times in two weeks. Picture David Clark

“I can guarantee it’s getting worse, the crime rate has phenomenally gone through the roof in the past three months.”

In the most recent attack a man kicked through the door and jimmied it with a crowbar but did not steal anything as no money was found on site.

”It’s costing us money each time something happens, I’ve had to have my doors replaced, its costing me out of pocket for the safety of my own business,” Mr Zinneddine said.

But it isn’t just the businesses on Sheppards Drive affected. On Wednesday, multiple businesses in Pub Lane were also broken into including Shear Envy Hair and Beauty Studio, TJ’s pizza at Pub Lane and the Pub Lane Tavern.

Shear Envy Hair and Beauty Studio owner Kellie Cummings has had her business in 14 years. Now she is worried it’s going to keep happening.

“I probably won’t sleep tonight because you are waiting for another call now,” she said.

“At least I know they were only targeting cash and we don’t leave cash in shops.”

Shear Envy Hair and Beauty had doors and windows smashed overnight.

Ms Cummings said the glass at the front of her business was broken into.

“It’s terrible thinking somebody has been through your stuff, I was glad they didn’t take anything else and I could still open after it was cleaned up,” she said.

Tahli Devine from Shear Envy Hair and Beauty at the Greenbank shopping Centre where a number of businesses had doors and windows smashed overnight. Greenbank Thursday 9th February 2023 Picture David Clark

With the break-ins being broad across various types of shops, many fear no business is safe.

The recent crime explosion has caused an outcry from businesses in the area.

Muhammad Mahmood, owner of Istanbul Kebabs on Middle Road, told the Courier Mail thieves were taking his livelihood after he was broken into on January 20 and on Monday.

Damage from the most recent break-in at Istanbul Kebabs.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said Logan detectives were appealing for information after four break and enters at the Pub Lane shopping centre at Greenbank.

“Between 3.30am and 4am (on Thursday), four people attempted to break in to a grocery store, then smashed the front glass doors of three other Pub Lane businesses, stealing a cash register from one,” she said.

“Police are investigating links to two similar offences that occurred at a car wash and a tavern in Greenbank between 3am and 4am on Wednesday.”

Investigations are continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact police.