Racecourse Rd, Ascot businesses damaged, cash stolen

Thieves armed with an axe have broken into several businesses along a high-end Brisbane street, smashing in doors and making off with cash in a car with a “stolen” Domino’s pizza sign on its roof.

Police are investigating after offenders smashed their way into multiple businesses on Racecourse Rd at Ascot, with a quantity of cash stolen, and a car with a “stolen” Domino’s roof topper used as a getaway vehicle.

CCTV footage obtained by The Courier-Mail shows hooded men, some wearing thongs, smashing their way into several Ascot businesses wielding an axe at 3am on Wednesday.

It’s understood police are investigating two white sedan vehicles that were involved in the alleged thefts, and whether the incidents are connected to other break-ins in past three days.

Dicki’s Cafe owner Justine Khoury said thieves smashed into her business, stole cash and fled in a white car.

CCTV footage shows a car with a Domino’s logo on its roof driving off from the scene.

The thieves smashed their way inside about 3.30am, walked over the shattered glass door, and a man in a grey hood wearing thongs ripped the cash till from the counter and fled the scene.

“They targeted Racecourse Rd, it looked like they had planned it, they planned to go in and out of businesses really quickly, at the same time I don’t know what the point was, because they didn’t get much,” Ms Khoury said.

Justine Khoury, owner of Dicki’s, which was targeted by thieves this morning. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Ms Khoury said she wasn’t sure how businesses in Ascot should respond in regards to the crime spree overnight.

“I don't know what the follow through will be like ... we are a small business and whether we are given the priority and manpower to look into it, that will be my take home from this, what happens now,” Ms Khoury said.

“I just feel unsafe, someone has been in this space.”

Other businesses targeted included, Belle Property, Golden Bladezz Barbershop, Le Bon Choix Bakery, Massage Health Centre and Hamilton Kebab.

In CCTV obtained by the Courier-Mail, a white sedan with a Domino’s car topper can be seen pulling up outside the Hamilton Kebab shop.

A man with a grey hood smashes his way into the shop, and a moment later can be seen running out of the business with the till in hand and into the getaway car.

Owner Semhar Kidane said the till that was stolen had about $400 inside.

Domino’s has been contacted for comment.

Le Bon Choix owner Cynthia Phan said she arrived this morning to the front door smashed and till gone, with less than $1000 inside.

“We are just going through clean up and try to get the business up and running as soon as possible. Because we do have a lot of regular customers who come in for coffee in the morning,” Ms Phan said.

Several businesses, including Dicki’s Cafe at Racecourse Rd, Ascot were broken into this morning. Picture: Tayla Couacaud

Mozaid Shameer Khan arrived at 5am to find the front door of his barber shop smashed.

“The door wasn’t broken into, they couldn’t get past the locks. I have only been open for eight months,” Mr Khan said.

Mr Khan said he was unable to open the door to customers on Wednesday morning until police arrived

It’s understood a Dominos sign had been stolen from a north Brisbane area over the past week.

Police are now probing whether the break-ins are tied to other incidents in Eagle Farm, Deagon, Pinkenba, Lutwyche and Hamilton from October 13 to 16.

They say between 11.45pm October 13 to 1.15am October 14, four break-ins occurred at businesses along Kingsford Smith Drive in Eagle Farm.

Around 2am October 14, a wilful damage incident occurred at a Braun St petrol station in Deagon where the glass doors were smashed but no attempt was made to enter the business.

Police have also indicated there may have been a possible attempted break overnight on October 14 at a Lavarack Av business in Pinkenba.

On Monday there was an attempted break in on Lutwyche Rd in Lutwyche.

Anyone with information or relevant vision is urged to contact police.