Queensland businessmen live in ‘fear’ after shops broken into multiple times in span of weeks

Some Queensland business owners have claimed they live in “fear” their shops will be targeted again after some were hit by robbers two to three times in weeks. See the video.

Business owners in a suburb south of Brisbane say they live in “fear” their shops will be targeted again after some were hit by robbers two to three times in a span of weeks.

They are now calling for more police patrols in the area.

Security camera footage given to the Courier Mail shows a man breaking into Greenbank Pizzeria on Sheppards Drive about 11pm Sunday.

The man repeatedly tries to break-in using a sledge hammer.

Other businesses in different areas of the Logan suburb of Greenbank have also been broken into several times in just under a month.

Muhammad Mahmood, owner of Istanbul Kebabs on Middle Road, said he only opened his business a few months ago and had been broken into on or about January 20 and again on Monday.

His shop was also most recently broken into by a person using a sledge hammer.

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

“They are taking my livelihood,” Mr Mahmood said.

“My shop got robbed twice between three weeks. I opened up this business over two months ago, and I’ve put all my savings into this.

“It’s frustrating and its also damaging my business as well.”

On Monday Mr Mahmood’s shop was broken into again by someone smashing the glass.

“You live in fear, of course you will replace the glass but you might have a robbery again the same night,” he said.

“I am a bit afraid at this stage.”

Mr Mahmood said about $1500 was stolen the first time someone broke into his store, but the damage to the glass door left him even more out of pocket.

Another business, Greenbank Takeaway on Sheppards Drive, was also broken into on Monday, January 30 and on January 17.

Greenbank Takeaway owner Rafick Zineddine said his shop had been damaged on many occasions.

One time he had to throw out thousands of dollars of food as security footage showed one of the thieves touching the food.

Greenbank Pizzeria was broken into on February 5 by a man with a sledgehammer. Picture: Supplied.

“Our premium has gone up because of every time we pay insurance,” he said.

“Every time they break-in we have to go through a process.

“Our doors have to be replaced, our padlocks, sometimes my insurance has gone up so much its cheaper if I fix things myself.”

Mr Zineddine said each time it seems like it is different cars and different people targeting the shops from the footage.

“Every morning we come to work, I am walking in just thinking, one of us has been targeted,” he said.

The latest attacks has Mr Mahmood calling for more police patrols in the area.

“All the way from Springfield Lakes towards Browns Plains, I drive past everyday and I’ve never seen any single police cars,” he said.

The Queensland Police Service has been contacted for comment but has not yet responded as of late Tuesday.