CBD crime: Police hunt snatch and grab robbers after Abbott St attack
Crims targeting unsuspecting diners has been flagged as an escalating issue in the Cairns CBD following two brazen snatch and grab style robberies during the weekend.
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CRIMS targeting unsuspecting diners has been flagged by police as a concerning issue in the Cairns CBD following two brazen robberies on Abbott St at the weekend.
In a significant escalation of violent crime on the streets of Cairns city alleged offenders have targeted diners outside the Night Market and pedestrians by snatching bags and getting away in a stolen car.
At around 8.30pm a stolen white Honda HRV pulled up in Abbott St before a man got out of the car and sized up diners at a nearby restaurant.
A woman sitting down for dinner at the Abbott St Night Market entrance was approached from behind and the man allegedly grabbed her bag before fleeing in the stolen Honda.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Dan Braham urged users of the CBD to be hyper vigilant following the weekend’s incidents.
“We are a tourist town and we don’t want people being hindered in any way or offended against when they are enjoying the services of the town,” he said.
“We ask people to be vigilant (about) what’s around them when they’re in a public place and unfortunately these things do happen and be careful.”
Abbott St restaurateur Minh Tran said the tip jar of his Pho Viet restaurant had been stolen three times recently, alfresco diners robbed and last month his Yokozuna restaurant in Orchid Plaza was robbed by teen girls.
“It’s getting worse. I don’t know what to do,” he said.
“Maybe the police have to try and do something better to stop them. They are really not scared of what happens to them.
“This is really bad for Cairns.”
In another incident on Saturday a woman was crossing Abbott St when a man allegedly grabbed her purse and phone from behind before running away and fleeing in the same stolen car.
Det Act Snr Sgt Braham said police were looking for a man of first nation’s appearance with a light brown complexion, black hair, about 175cm tall and a medium build.
“(And) we’re currently running a number of lines of inquiry in relation to the vehicle and potentially persons attached to that vehicle,” he said.
The Honda hatchback with Queensland registration 812 EF6 was stolen from Mooroobool unit on June 3.
Anyone with information regarding the offences or location of the stolen vehicle is urged to contact Policelink or Crimestoppers
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Originally published as CBD crime: Police hunt snatch and grab robbers after Abbott St attack
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