‘Santa hat’ trio arrested after allegedly storming Brisbane home with guns

A group of alleged armed intruders have been arrested after allegedly storming a Brisbane home and stealing a sum of money “in excess of $1m” all while wearing Santa hats.

A group of alleged armed intruders have been arrested after allegedly storming a Brisbane home and stealing more than $1 million while dressed as Santa Claus.

Police allege on January 3, three men wearing Santa hats and beards posed as employees from a fake removal and cleaning business and forced their way into a Moon Circuit home in Karawatha armed with guns and zip-tied three people.

The trio then stole more than $1 million in multiple currencies before fleeing, in what police have described as a targeted attack they allegedly planned for at least a week.

A group of alleged armed intruders have been arrested after allegedly storming a Brisbane home under the guise of a cleaning business while wearing Santa hats.

Acacia Ridge Acting Detective Inspector Justin Anderson said the armed robbery was one of the most sophisticated he has seen in more than 30 years on the job.

“When I say sophisticated, there is a lot of planning that has gone into it. Our investigations reveal that the persons have scoped the address prior to that (incident),” Inspector Anderson said.

Cash was found following a police raid.

Police will allege the offenders created a fake business - A2Z Removal and Cleaning Services - and posed as employees on the day of the attack.

Inspector Anderson said the offenders even called the victim prior to make sure he was home.

The men entered the home holding handguns and were inside for a substantial amount of time, he said.

“They did those zip ties on the victims,” Insp Anderson said.

“And during that time they threatened them with the handguns in order to steal the currency and other items including high-end jewellery.”

A group of alleged armed intruders allegedly took “in excess of $1 million”.

On Monday, detectives searched a Greenbank property, two cars and several storage units in Ormeau and found cash, drugs, and two rifles.

Officers also took a 33-year-old Coomera man, a 39-year-old Ormeau man and 28-year-old Greenbank man into custody.

The three men have been charged with three counts each of armed robbery in company with personal violence and deprivation of liberty, and one count each of enter dwelling with intent and hacking gain benefit commit indictable offence

Inspector Anderson said police were working to determine how the offenders knew the victims, but there were no known links.

He called on anyone with further information about the allegedly stolen watches, past interactions with the alleged fake business or similar offences to contact police.

The Coomera and Ormeau men were remanded in custody and are expected to appear before Richland Magistrates court on March 4.

The Greenbank man was remanded in custody and is expected to appear before Richlands Magistrates court on January 15.

Originally published as ‘Santa hat’ trio arrested after allegedly storming Brisbane home with guns