Maroochydore businesses count the costs of early morning ram raids
Thieves have smashed into two businesses with a hire van on the Sunshine Coast, with CCTV capturing two young teenagers behind the brazen and devastating acts. WATCH THE VIDEO
Police & Courts
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A stolen hire van was used in two separate ram raids on Sunshine Coast in the early hours of this morning.
Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Daren Edwards said Garricks Camera House on Plaza Parade at Maroochydore was rammed and looted at 3.20am on Wednesday.
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The thieves took camera gear from the shopfront.
Detective Senior Sergeant Edwards said they then targeted Sunshine Coast Mowers on Caloundra Rd at 4.10am where they stole two items.
Police confirmed the hire van was stolen from Brisbane and will have extensive damage as a result.
The manager of Sunshine Coast Mowers Steve Dufficy said they received a few calls from security after two thieves rammed the store’s door with the stolen van and then kicked through the glass.
They stole two items at 4.10am Wednesday before fleeing after the alarm blasted.
“The doors were closed still, they hadn’t got right in,” Mr Dufficy said.
“There was glass everywhere.
“They had stolen a couple of things from inside and buzzed off.”
Mr Dufficy said the thieves only managed to steal a little chainsaw and blower valued under $1000 before being scared off by the alarm.
“The damage is more than what the stuff is worth,” he said.
“They didn’t get much because we’ve got a big alarm inside which is awfully loud.”
Garricks Camera House on Plaza Parade at Maroochydore was also rammed and looted at 3.20am, with thieves taking off with camera equipment.
Mr Dufficy said their CCTV footage showed a young girl and boy, believed to be in their late teens, fleeing the scene.
“It was a hire van, it had stolen plates on it so they knew what they were doing as far as that was concerned,” he said.
“I don’t think they knew what they were up against here, they didn’t get in.”
Mr Dufficy, who has been the manager of Sunshine Coast Mowers for a year, said this was the first time he’d experienced anyone attempting to rob the store.
“It’s the first time I’ve dealt with something like this so it’s been an interesting morning,” he said.
“They backed in (with the van) and just rammed and then just kicked through the glass.
“There was a fair bit of work involved getting in.”
Mr Dufficy said it was still business as usual after taking about an hour to clean up the glass.
“We’ve seen a few regulars this morning and they’ve all been supportive,” he said.
“The boys all got in and vacuumed and got us ready to go.”