Brazen thieves on the rampage in flood-hit Townsville
A gang of brazen thieves in stolen cars have left a trail of devastation across flood-stricken Townsville, breaking into multiple stores in a crime spree that has enraged local residents. WATCH THE VIDEO.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A gang of brazen thieves in stolen cars have left a trail of devastation across flood-stricken Townsville, breaking into multiple stores in a crime spree that has enraged local residents.
Police are on the hunt for a group of at least nine criminals who raided seven businesses at Domain Central around 5.30am on Friday.
Smashing their way into stores including Baby Bunting, Ashley Furniture Homestore, Plush Sofas, Forty Winks, TK Maxx, Pillow Talk, and Curtain Wonderland, the gang ripped open cash registers and stole an unknown amount of cash.
Police said the group were seen fleeing the shopping centre in three stolen vehicles, including a Haval stolen from a Petrie Way property in Idalia on Wednesday morning, February 5.
Crime scene investigators were on scene later that morning, dusting for fingerprints on the empty cash registers that were found on the ground nearby.
Several items — including bags, books, and children’s homework sheets — that appear to have been dumped from the stolen cars were also left strewn across the front of the business.
Furious locals have taken to social media, slamming the criminals for kicking the city while it’s down after the floods, with many calling for tougher penalties.
Authorities are urging anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward as the hunt for the offenders intensifies.
No arrests have been made at this stage.
More Coverage
Originally published as Brazen thieves on the rampage in flood-hit Townsville
Join the conversation
‘Testing NQ’s resilience’: Life-threatening flood warning, 250mm weekend forecast
Extra swiftwater rescue crews, police and boats are being sent north from southeast Queensland ahead of what the Premier has warned will be another severe weekend of devastation for an already-saturated and “hurting” region.
Read more
Nightclub manager, workers fired after ‘disgusting’ video post
A video showing employees from a Qld nightclub has gone viral with disturbing comments made about rape and race, with the business releasing a statement saying they are investigating the concerning footage.
Read more