Hervey Bay businesses fall victim to spate of break-ins

Police are searching for two young men after a series of destructive ‘smash and grab’ attacks on restaurants, cafes and stores in coastal Hervey Bay. Watch the video:

Rampaging thieves and vandals have devastated more than a dozen Hervey Bay businesses in recent nights, smashing their way inside and costing the owners thousands of dollars.

Banksia Seafood and Grill was one of the businesses targeted, with two thieves smashing their way inside before stealing the till and a number of bottles of alcohol.

Owner Aleeca Waterman said she received a phone call about 4am on Friday after neighbours called the police after confronting a group of teenage boys.

A devastated Ms Waterman said she found the malicious nature of the ‘smash and grab’ attack distressing.

The youths cost the business about $3500 by stealing alcohol and knocking the remaining bottles on to the floor.

Thieves and vandals have smashed the storefronts of businesses across Hervey Bay. The scene at Two Ducks Cafe in Urangan after it was targeted.

“They not only took what they wanted but proceeded to smash the rest of it,” Ms Waterman said.

“They cost us about $3500 and they were only there for four minutes.”

She said margins were tight in hospitality and it was tough for the businesses to have to deal with that.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” she said.

It was far from the only business targeted this week.

At Eli Waters Shopping Centre, Fresh Tasty Fast fell victim to vandals smashing its doors, as well as the Red Cross store and Two Ducks Cafe in Urangan.

Thieves and vandals have smashed in the the storefronts of multiple businesses across Hervey Bay. The scene at Banksia Bar and Grill.

It is understood Hervey Bay glaziers have had to respond to at least 15 break-ins across the city since Saturday.

Steve and Angie Dobson from Fresh Tasty Fast were left cleaning up the damage after their business was broken into.

The thieves stole the till after smashing through the door with two bricks and upturned the counter.

“Even though you’re insured, we’re having to pay for it all out of our pockets first,” Ms Dobson said.

“It’s like 10 steps forward and 20 steps back.

“You struggle enough as it is in a small business.

“We’re just going to be forever holding our breath when we turn up for work every morning now.”

Ms Dobson said the community had been very supportive in the wake of the break-in this week, with one man even leaving a lotto ticket for them under the door.

“We’ve had a lot of support from the people around us and our customers,” she said.

In comes after businesses at Maryborough’s Station Square Shopping Centre were targeted by thieves last month, including Subway fast food restaurant.

Police say the offenders used a brick to gain access to the business, where they proceeded to steal a cash register and a safe.

Antonio’s Pizzaria also fell victim to a break-in when an offender smashed their way through their glass door on February 24, 2023.

They returned to the vehicle before fleeing the scene.

Neighbouring business Antonio’s Pizzaria also fell victim to a break-in when an offender smashed their way through their glass door on February 24, 2023.

A police spokeswoman confirmed officers were investigating a series of break and enters at a number of businesses earlier this week in Hervey Bay.

“Initial information indicates around 5pm on Tuesday, two males forced entry with a brick into a business on Central Ave, Urraween,” she said.

“They stole the cash drawer from the register before leaving the scene in a light coloured station wagon.

Thieves and vandals have smashed the storefronts of businesses across Hervey Bay. The scene at Banksia Bar and Grill.

“In the early hours of Wednesday, two males have forced entry with a brick into a cafe on the Esplanade, Urangan.

“The cash drawer was stolen from the till and the males left the scene.

“Around 3.30am on Wednesday, a restaurant on the Esplanade, Torquay was broken into, with the front glass door smashed with a brick.

“A cash drawer and a quantity of alcohol was stolen, with two males leaving the scene in a light coloured vehicle.

“Later that same morning around 6am, a business on Ibis Boulevard, Eli Waters was also broken into with a brick, and a cash register stolen.”

Investigators are appealing to anyone with information or CCTV footage to contact police.