Tobacco shop raiders strike in 15-second crime spree

Police are investigating a series of crimes targeting Townsville tobacco shops, believed to be the work of the same pair of highly organised adult offenders.

Police are investigating a series of break-ins across Townsville, believed to be linked to highly organised offenders.

Police are investigating a series of crimes targeting Townsville tobacco shops, believed to be the work of the same pair of highly organised adult offenders.

In the early hours of Friday morning, an attempted break-in occurred at a TSG tobacco shop in Woodlands Village Shopping Centre in Deeragun around 3am.

Police said offenders used a grinder in an attempt to gain entry but were ultimately unsuccessful.

They said a dark-coloured Jeep Cherokee was seen in the area around the time of the incident.

Shortly after, a successful break-in was reported at the TSG tobacco shop on Burnda Street, Kirwan.

Using a type of levering device the two offenders forced open the door, accessed two tills, and stole cash — all in just 15 seconds.

Not long after a dark-coloured Jeep Cherokee suspected of being involved was found on fire in Rasmussen.

Townsville Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd. Picture: Evan Morgan

Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd said police believe the crimes may be connected due to the striking similarities in the methods used.

“It’s unusual for us to have multiple breaks at tobacco shops like that,” he said.

“From looking at the footage, they appeared the adults. They seem to be organised. They’re calm, not panicking, they’re in and out in 15 seconds.”

Inspector Shepherd suggested the offenders might be from outside Townsville.

“We do, at times, get offenders moving up and down the coast,” he said.

“There is a chance that they could be passing through town and that we won’t see continuation. If we do, then our property crime unit, with its 16 investigators, will focus on that.”

In addition to the tobacco shop incidents, police responded to a break-in at a mechanic on Ingham Road, Bohle, where two vehicles were stolen the same morning.

Efforts to crack down on stolen vehicle incidents in Townsville have seen some success this week.

On Thursday night, police successfully spiked a stolen VW Amarok and a Hyundai Tucson, leading to the arrest of a 14-year-old boy who now faces nine charges, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle and breaching bail.

On Wednesday, police spiked another stolen car, a Santa Fe, and arrested four females aged 15 to 21, who collectively face 18 charges.

In a separate incident, a 12-year-old boy was apprehended after PolAir observed him exiting a stolen car and entering a residence.

Originally published as Tobacco shop raiders strike in 15-second crime spree