Stacey Wratt, Adam McConnell face Ipswich Court accused of Booval tobacco shop armed robbery

Tobacco shop staff were threatened at gunpoint during an overnight robbery west of Brisbane, which police will allege was planned by a former employee at the store.

Tobacco shop staff were allegedly threatened at gunpoint during an overnight robbery west of Brisbane, which police will allege was planned by a former employee at the store.

One of the two individuals charged with robbing an Ipswich CBD tobacco shop at gunpoint overnight was a former employee at the store, a court has heard.

Forty-three-year-old Silkstone resident Stacey Wratt allegedly devised a “plan” to steal from her former employer’s store on multiple occasions, Ipswich Magistrates Court was told at her co-accused’s bail application today, February 1.

Police will allege Ms Wratt and her co-accused Adam Steve McConnell robbed a tobacco and gift store on Brisbane Rd, Booval, at 6.50pm on January 31.

It will be alleged the duo threatened a female staff member with a firearm, demanding cash and cigarettes, before leaving in a black Mazda 3.

Police located the same car parked in Springfield at 12.40pm, allegedly with two people inside along with cigarettes and cash.

Defence lawyer Grace Anderson told the court during Mr McConnell’s bail application that police had limited evidence to prove her client was at the scene.

Mr McConnell, 36 of East Ipswich, stands charged with two counts each of armed robbery and possession of dangerous drugs (heroin and methylamphetamine) and one count of enter premises with intent to commit an indictable offence.

Ms Anderson said police alleged Mr McConnell was the same man that was captured in CCTV footage because he was wearing the same shoes, which she said were common.

She said Ms Wratt was alleged to be the primary offender, not her client, as she was the one with connections to the store.

But police prosecutor Peter Renton said Mr McConnell had been found in the car with Ms Wratt, in possession of $475 cash.

The court heard Ms Wratt had a further $1500.

Constable Renton said police also found inside the car a silver handgun gel blaster, along with vapes and cigarettes which were alleged to have been stolen.

He said Ms Wratt had made admissions and told police: “I didn’t have a weapon. He did, Adam”.

Constable Renton said police would allege Mr McConnell pointed the weapon “directly” at two complainants.

“That would clearly show a significant involvement – if not that he is the main perpetrator,” he said.

Magistrate Jason Schubert noted Mr McConnell had an 18-page criminal history including multiple failing to appear and property-related offences.

Mr McConnell was also on a suspended sentence at the time of the alleged offence, the court heard.

Mr Schubert decided Mr McConnell posed an unacceptable risk of failing to appear or committing further offences.

Bail was refused, and the matter was adjourned to February 16.

Mr McConnell spoke up over the video link, saying: “I didn’t even do it!”

“I wasn’t even there, your honour,” he said, before the link was cut off.

Ms Wratt stands charged with two counts of armed robbery and three counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence.

She is expected to appear in Ipswich Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, February 2.

Originally published as Stacey Wratt, Adam McConnell face Ipswich Court accused of Booval tobacco shop armed robbery