Thieves target Ipswich home, BP, and Salvation Army during floods

Arrests have been made after looters were allegedly caught stealing from homes and businesses across Ipswich.

At least two flood affected businesses and one home were targeted by opportunistic thieves in Ipswich, triggering a state-wide police operation to protect the vulnerable.

Devastation at Goodna. Picture: Asmika McCandless

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said following an alleged stealing incident at Goodna on Monday, officers charged a man with entering a premises and committing an indictable offence.

The spokesman said the 22-year-old Goodna man used a kayak to reach a flooded BP on Brisbane Road and allegedly took a large amount of bait and tackle around 3pm.

“(He) allegedly broke into the freezer of a Brisbane Road convenience store before stealing several items,” she said.

The man is expected to appear in the Ipswich Magistrates Court on March 21.

The 22-year-old Goodna man allegedly broke into the freezer of a Brisbane Road convenience store before stealing several items. Picture: Queensland Police Service

On the same day during the peak of the flood, the inundated Salvation Army store at Bundamba was also targeted.

“(The) charity store on Coal Street was broken into after 6pm on Monday night,” she said.

“Items of jewellery and a small amount of donated cash were taken.”

Just five minutes down the road at Blackstone someone broke into a Thomas Street home.

The resident had to flee rising floodwaters and when they returned they found their door kicked in and several valuables stolen.

Picture: Queensland Police Service

Police commissioner Katarina Carroll said she was disgusted and disappointed that people who had to evacuate their homes have been targeted.

“The community needs to be very mindful of this and report any (suspicious) activity,” she said.

“To say we will continue to investigate in earnest is an understatement.

“This is a warning - if you think you can break into these houses we will investigate you, we will arrest you, and charge you and put you before the courts like you deserve.”

Queensland Police Minister Mark Ryan said the looting was outrageous behavior.

Mr Ryan said to put it politely, “you are grubs. You are preying on the most vulnerable Queenslanders,”.

“You’re not Queenslanders when you engage in this behavior because Queenslanders help their mates and Queenslanders support their mates.

Devastation at Goodna. Picture: Kaitlyn Williams

Operation Uniform will focus on looting and property crime offences across southeast Queensland.

“QPS will draw resources from across the state, including general duties, plain clothes, railway squad, dog squad and specialist police officers,” the spokeswoman said.

“Around the clock local patrols have already commenced in flood zone areas and will include the use of resources from both the Water Police and POLAIR.

“The operation follows several incidents of looting activity reported to police in Ipswich.”

Originally published as Thieves target Ipswich home, BP, and Salvation Army during floods