Police hunt organised gangs after night raids for cash, tobacco

Police have ramped up patrols after a wave of break-ins across South East Queensland, which they believe are led by organised gangs, which have left dozens of businesses shaken and ransacked.

A group of burglars have used an electric saw and a sledge hammer to steal cigarettes from a Logan newsagent.

Bayside business owners and residents have been reassured that police presence has been stepped up in key business areas after a wave of destructive, targeted break-ins across South East Queensland.

Police have stepped up operations and believe they are closing in on what they suspect are well-organised criminal gangs after more than a dozen businesses, including newsagents, bakeries, cafes, service stations, and tobacconists.

Police were kept busy with five raids in the space of hours on Wednesday night and believe they are being carried out by organised groups using stolen vehicles, disabling alarm systems, and targeting high-demand items such as cigarettes and cash.

More than 15 small businesses across Redland and parts of Logan and some southside Brisbane suburbs have been targeted over a seven-day period.

Senior sergeant Chris Lafferty of Cleveland CIB is heading the investigation into the destructive raids on businesses. Picture: Judith Kerr

Suburbs that have been targeted are Wynnum West, Bulimba, Upper Mount Gravatt, Alexandra Hills, Capalaba, Eagleby, Holmview, Kangaroo Point, Manly West, Ormeau, Springwood, Sunnybank, Tingalpa, Victoria Point, Wellington Point and Wishart, with the majority of offences happening between 9pm and 4am but usually between 2am and 6am.

In one of the most serious recent incidents on the bayside, a male employee at a Capalaba tobacconist on Finucane Rd was allegedly threatened and assaulted by two armed men around 10.30pm on Wednesday night.

Emergency services responded quickly, and the man was treated at the scene by paramedics before being transported to hospital in a stable condition.

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Lafferty from Cleveland CIB, heading up the investigation into the raids, said it was still unknown whether the Capalaba break-in was linked to the co-ordinated crime wave under active investigation.

Sparks were seen during a burglary at The Lucky Charm Holmview on April 9, 2025. Picture: 7News

He said the majority of raids were targeting cash tills, money and cigarettes and the Capalaba break-in “appeared” to be different as the other incidents did not involve violence.

“We’ve increased our patrols and we have extra staff working overtime during times where we believe that these premises may be targeted, but this group of offenders appears to be well organised, and they do not spend much time at each premise,” he said.

“We’re still conducting inquiries and investigations in relation to these people and believe they are normally working in groups upwards of four at a time when they’re committing the offences.

“However, we’re still open to the idea that there could be a greater network of people working in together.

“I think these offenders have been opportunistic in the locations that they have chosen, as the businesses broken into are either on main roads or in shopping centres where you’ve got multiple businesses together, and they are taking the opportunity to break into one and then another.

“We are not certain whether it’s the same gang, but there are similarities in how the offences have been committed.”

Windows were smashed at The Lucky Charm Holmview on April 9, 2025. Picture: 7News

Sen Sgt Lafferty said detectives were still looking into where the stolen cigarettes were being taken to and offloaded.

He said police were using every tool available including CCTV, forensic leads, traffic intercepts to close in on the crooks.

Security footage captured during the raids showed masked intruders working in groups, breaking in within seconds and fleeing before alarms could trigger a police response.

Holmview newsagency The Lucky Charm was broken into in the early hours of Wednesday.

Worker Emily Turner told 7News she was disappointed as the shop was a family business.

“Wish you wouldn’t do it. It takes a lot of effort and money to try and pick ourselves back up,” she said.

Sen Sgt Lafferty made a direct appeal for help from the public.

“If you see something, no matter how small, report it. These gangs rely on anonymity and we need more eyes and ears out there.”

Originally published as Police hunt organised gangs after night raids for cash, tobacco