Rochedale crime: Videos reveal more incidences of trespass and break-ins despite elevated police presence

Security vision has captured the moment two people are arrested in a backyard of a Brisbane suburb that continues to face a wave of break-ins and trespass incidents despite a major police presence. SEE THE VIDEO

Brazen thieves are still attempting to break into people’s homes in a suburb south of Brisbane despite a major police presence aimed to address the issue under way.

Overnight, a number of residents in Rochedale South have reported seeing people trying to enter their properties.

In one incident, a resident woke up to police arresting a pair who were allegedly trying to enter their backyard on Parafrey Road at Rochedale South on Friday night.

Officers charged a 27-year-old Nerang man and a 28-year-old Goondiwindi man after they received reports the two people had been seen in the backyard of multiple properties on Parafrey Road and Underwood Road.

It comes after Police Minister Dan Purdie conceded Rochedale South was experiencing a spike in crime.

Officers now have an increased presence across Rochedale South with a major police operation currently under way.

Rochedale South residents for more than a month have been defending their suburbs from Machete-wielding thugs with nightly patrols.

Rochedale South Neighbourhood Crime Watchers founder Damion Douglass said there was a lot of foot traffic on Friday night in the suburb from about 6pm.

“They looked like school aged kids loitering but they weren’t in school uniform so there’s no way to tell,” he said.

“Around 9.57pm there were a bunch of alarms going off and there were a lot of moving people, scattering.”

Earlier in the week, hooded thugs carrying knives and breaking into homes were seen throughout Rochedale South.

Police are still hunting the armed gang linked to the series of robberies in Rochedale South and a number of other suburbs including Carindale, Eagleby, Underwood and Manly West since Monday.

Mr Douglass said it was very odd that quite a large number of incidents had happened in the area this week.

A screenshot from security vision of two people on a property in Rochedale on Friday night.

“And it doesn’t matter how much police you have in the area – there has been a huge presence over the last two days,” he said.

“But it doesn’t seem to be making an impact and that’s really sad, it’s not the fault of the police or anything like that.”

On Thursday Night, Mr Purdie and Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber met with Mr Douglass to discuss the crime in the area and possible solutions.

Mr Douglass said he could see they wanted solutions and they’re willing to help.

“I think people love that, and they feel good about that, but it’s not a fix,” he said.

“I think (having a greater police presence) is having a positive effect on making people feel better.

But despite extra police in the area Mr Douglass said residents still wanted to keep patrolling the area.

“There’s about 40 people that have applied to do it. But we have to vet them, we have to make sure that they are legit,” he said.

“It’s a lengthy process, but probably about 70 residents, some not even in Rochedale South, that are interested. because they’ve got family here.

“So it’s quite extraordinary. There’s a lot of people that want to stand up and they’re pretty normal people, even some of them, they’re in the political world, so they’re really keen.”

Following the arrest on Parafrey Road, Jake Paul Stevens, 27 was charged with three counts of trespass, and one count each of possess utensils, possess dangerous drugs, and contravene direction of police officer.

He was refused police bail and appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday morning.

He made no application for bail and was remanded in custody for mention at Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Monday, February 17.

The 28-year-old man was charged with three counts of trespass, and one count of contravene direction of a police officer.

He is due to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on March 4.

Originally published as Rochedale crime: Videos reveal more incidences of trespass and break-ins despite elevated police presence