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Police investigating break-ins at tobacconists in Helensvale, wider southeast area

An investigation has been launched after a Gold Coast tobacconist was targeted in a ramraid. It was one of several businesses targeted in the same night. SEE THE VIDEO

Police investigate tobacconist break-ins

Police have launched an investigation into a spree of break-and-enters at tobacconists on the Gold Coast and the wider southeast.

Initial investigations suggest a group of men rammed Top Dog Tobacconist on Discovery Drive in Helensvale with a black dual-cab utility just after 1am on Wednesday.

CCTV footage released by police after a string of tobacconists on the Gold Coast and the wider southeast were targeted overnight. Picture: Queensland Police Service
CCTV footage released by police after a string of tobacconists on the Gold Coast and the wider southeast were targeted overnight. Picture: Queensland Police Service

Police say the group fled the scene with a number of items.

It was about an hour later that the same vehicle was believed to have been used in a second ram-raid at a business on Logan Rd at Stones Corner.

CCTV footage released by police after a string of tobacconists on the Gold Coast and the wider southeast were targeted overnight. Picture: Queensland Police Service
CCTV footage released by police after a string of tobacconists on the Gold Coast and the wider southeast were targeted overnight. Picture: Queensland Police Service
CCTV footage released by police after a string of tobacconists on the Gold Coast and the wider southeast were targeted overnight. Picture: Queensland Police Service
CCTV footage released by police after a string of tobacconists on the Gold Coast and the wider southeast were targeted overnight. Picture: Queensland Police Service

Police are further alleging businesses at Cooparoo and North Ipswich were also broken into – this time with crowbars – at about 3am and 3.45am the same morning, with the culprits making off with an unknown amount of cash from the second target.

Repairs being carried out at Helensvale's Top Dog Tobacconist after it was ramraided early Wednesday morning. Picture: Charlton Hart
Repairs being carried out at Helensvale's Top Dog Tobacconist after it was ramraided early Wednesday morning. Picture: Charlton Hart

Unknown offenders also struck at a Collingwood Park business at about 7pm on Tuesday.

Investigations are ongoing to determine any links between these incidents, with police appealing for any witnesses or anyone who may have relevant dashcam vision to come forward.

Original URL: https://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-gold-coast/police-investigating-breakins-at-tobacconists-in-helensvale-wider-southeast-area/news-story/8584f94e42e98f7b390cad50dde77255