Dog killed, men injured as alleged e-scooter scam turns violent

The first of three men accused over a home invasion in Brisbane’s southwest has appeared in court. It follows a dog being fatally stabbed in the alleged dispute over a $2000 e-scooter advertised online. SEE VIDEO

A gentle dog has been killed and her owners viciously ambushed in a “barbaric” stabbing attack on a Brisbane family over an e-scooter they were selling on social media.

The shocking incident is among an unprecedented rise in violent crimes escalating from items being advertised for sale online, with police saying people across Brisbane were being targeted several times a week.

Three men in their 20s have been arrested over the disturbing attack on Sunday, where they jumped the back fence of the Forest Lake house armed with weapons and demanded the $2000 scooter before stabbing the residents’ harmless dog.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said that incident was “savage”.

“These attacks, in particular this one of people in their home, is indeed savage, ferocious and indeed with no respect for human life,” he said.

A suspect is detained by police overnight.

The ordeal began on Sunday afternoon when two men went to the home to purchase an e-scooter from the residents after seeing the ad on social media.

But the men tried to give the sellers counterfeit cash and they refused to hand over the e-scooter.

Hours later, they returned with reinforcements and three men scaled the back fence of the house into their backyard.

They were armed with machetes, knives, and what appeared to be a black handgun – which was later found to be a gel-blaster.

Superintendent Massingham said the men started making demands for the scooter.

“They demanded that the scooter be produced and started smashing the rear glass doors of the property to try to entice the victims to come outside,” Supt Massingham said.

“When that did not occur, they stabbed a dog at the premises in an attempt to entice the owners into the backyard.”

A neighbour said they heard the ruckus, and a person yelling, “They’ve stabbed the dog!”

Crime scene tape was set up at the back of the property where the offenders jumped the fence into the backyard. Picture: Shayla Bulloch

Police say the residents then ran outside and a struggle has taken place in the yard, where a 33-year-old resident and a 30-year-old resident were stabbed, while a 20-year-old man who also lived at the house suffered some minor injuries.

People living at the house then armed themselves with shovels and attacked the intruders, leaving them with multiple injuries before they fled the scene.

The dog, understood to be a female American Staffordshire Terrier, sadly died despite emergency vet treatment, in what Supt Massingham described as “barbaric” behaviour.

A resident in Ballandean Close described the dog as a sweet little girl.

“She was the gentlest dog ever,” she said.

Neighbours on the quiet street spoke with the residents briefly after the ordeal, saying they were “shaken” and “very stressed out”.

Police arrived soon after the altercation and tracked the three alleged offenders on foot and using helicopter Polair.

Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham addresses the media on Monday. Picture: Steve Pohlner

A 24-year-old Goodna man appeared in Richlands Magistrates Court on Monday charged with two counts of wounding, serious animal cruelty, threatening violence and attempting to enter a dwelling with intent. He was remanded in custody until his next appearance on October 16.

A 20-year-old Darra man has been charged with three counts of possessing dangerous drugs (cannabis, alprazolam and methylamphetamine), two counts of wounding and one count each of serious animal cruelty, threatening violence, attempt to enter premises and possessing counterfeit money. He is due to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

A 21-year-old Redbank man was still in hospital and was expected to be charged when he recovered.

“One has a fractured cheekbone and has significant leg and head injuries, that’s the 21-year-old Redbank man,” Supt Massingham said.

Crime scene tape was set up at the back of the property where the offenders jumped the fence into the backyard. Picture: Shayla Bulloch

“And the 20-year-old Darra man has serious lacerations to the head near the eye socket and serious injuries to the rear of his skull.”

The 30-year-old resident, who was stabbed in the stomach and back, remains in hospital.

Supt Massingham warned attacks on people selling items online was increasing.

“We are seeing instances of it regularly in the South Brisbane district and I know the southeastern region in and around Ipswich has also seen an increase in this type of offending,” he said.

Supt Massingham said there were now several instances per week relating to people being attacked after advertising items online for sale.

He urged people to be careful when selling items online.

No one emerged from the Forest Lake house when The Courier-Mail visited on Monday.