Fins on Finnegan: Men face court after terrifying attempted armed robbery, assault in Coomera
Police claim CCTV shows Queensland men holding up a fish and chip shop in Coomera on Saturday. Today, the trio were mentioned in court. Read what happened.
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The alleged driver of a getaway car has got bail after claims he and two co-accused tried to violently hold up a Coomera fish and chip shop.
Police claim the trio – one with a gel blaster hand gun – entered Fins on Finnegan at 8.20pm on Saturday demanding money.
No cash was taken but the owner was allegedly physically assaulted, left with head and face wounds.
All three were in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday, charged with assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed, attempted robbery, enter premises with intent, and stealing.
Police prosecutor Sargent Karen Friedrichs told the court the men were each a “willing participant”, noting CCTV.
Police allege 26-year-old Dinmore man Anthony Solofa James Alapati was the “principal offender”, having allegedly pulled the gun out of his bum bag before assaulting the staffer.
Alapati is also accused of unlawfully possessing a relevant substance, drug possession, and possess property suspect connected to drug offence, having stolen a phone from the shop and later being caught in possession of MDMA, hydroxybutanoic acid lactone, and a syringe.
Sgt Friedrichs tendered photos of the victim’s face swelling and a head gash, alleging it was from Alapati’s “violent” attack.
“He obviously had a premeditated approach. (Alapati) presents a considerable risk to the community,” the prosecutor told the court.
Defence lawyer Katherine Hanson said Alapati was a barber supporting his pregnant partner, present in court.
Ms Hanson said her client lives with his parents in Ipswich.
In applying for bail, the lawyer said Alapati was willing to regularly report to police, have no contact with co-accused or victims and stick to a curfew.
Ms Hanson asked the magistrate to consider her client’s “minimal” criminal history.
Magistrate Pirie noted the prosecution’s position was Alapati allegedly punched the victim “multiple times” before “striking him over the head with a crate”.
“The case against the defendant is so strong one might think if he were convicted, it would be almost certain he would serve a lengthy period of imprisonment,” Magistrate Pirie said denying bail.
Sgt Friedrichs told the court Jason Eneli Roberts, 39, of Hillcrest, was the getaway driver.
Defence lawyer Chelsea Waters, of Guest Lawyers, said Roberts was merely a “party to the offending” but not the alleged attack.
The court heard Roberts has two children, including a 19-year-old with cerebral palsy and was supported by his de facto partner in court.
Ms Waters said Roberts was his family’s only income earner.
Magistrate Pirie granted him bail.
Roberts must live at a set address at Hillcrest, regularly report to police, abide by a curfew and surrender his passport.
Andrew Steven Manu, 27, of Inala, faces four robbery charges and did not apply for bail.
A committal mention for each of the accused is on February 28.
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WATCH: Men arrested over terrifying attempted robbery
December 18, 2022: Two men have been charged after a staff member was allegedly assaulted with a replica gun during an attempted armed robbery of a Coomera business.
Police allege three men entered the Celestial Way business about 8.20pm Saturday, where one pulled out a gun and demanded money from staff.
The group damaged several items before they assaulted one of the staff members with the gun, then fled the scene in a car, police alleged.
Officers tracked down a car matching the description of the vehicle a short time later in Yawalpah Way and arrested three people.
Police will allege that a replica firearm was found during a search of the car.
A 27-year-old Inala man and 39-year-old Hillcrest man have been charged with stealing, enter premises with intent, attempted armed robbery, assault occasioning bodily harm while armed and in company.
Both men were denied police bail and will appear in Southport Magistrates Court on Monday December 19.
A 26-year-old Dinmore man is expected to be charged with a number of offences later Sunday morning.
Anyone with information for police should phone Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Reference: QP2202164210
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