Stolen car linked to Marian armed robbery and Mount Pleasant break and enter

Police have arrested a teenager over an alleged attempted armed robbery at a rural service station after a worker fought off two offenders with a stapler and stool.

Police have arrested a Mackay teen over the alleged attempted armed robbery at a Marian service station, as two others remain on the run.

The 17 year old, who will appear in Mackay Childrens Court on Monday, is facing a string of charges following an alleged 24-hour crime spree across the region.

Police alleged a Volkswagen Amarok was stolen from an East Mackay address in the early morning on June 10.

Then about 5.20am the vehicle was captured on CCTV at the Caltex service station at Marian – two people wearing masks and gloves went into the business brandishing knives and demanding cash while a third remained in the car.

A teen has been arrested over an alleged attempted armed robbery at a Marian Caltex service station about 5.20am Sunday, July 10, 2022. Picture: QPS

A 37-year-old storeman was able to fight the two alleged robbers off by first throwing a stapler and then a stool.

The vehicle was then spotted at the Night Owl at Mount Pleasant where two people smashed their way into the store through the front door.

CCTV captured two people inside the store rummaging through various areas including an office containing a safe.

It is alleged a number of items were stolen.

The Volkswagen was found burnt out about 6am on Hume St on July 11 that sparked a police call-out for information to help with their investigation.

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton said police arrested a 17-year-old boy on Saturday at an East Mackay address.

He has been charged with one count each of attempted armed robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, enter premises at Mount Pleasant, stealing over an alleged petrol drive off and arson of a motor vehicle.

He will be appearing in the childrens court today which is a closed session.

Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch office in charge Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton. Picture: Janessa Ekert

EARLIER: Mackay police are hunting three men who used a stolen car to then commit a terrifying armed robbery and a destructive break and enter.

Two men concealed themselves with masks and gloves as they entered a Marian Caltex service station brandishing knives and demanding cash as a third waited in the car.

The service station worker, a 37-year-old man, was able to fight the duo off – the incident, about 5.20am Sunday, was captured on CCTV cameras.

Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Eaton said the two people went into the store armed with knives and threatened the attendant, demanding cash.

“The male attendant has fought back to those two offenders and they’ve ended up fleeing the scene,” the Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch officer in charge said.

“He’s managed to throw a particular item at them.

Two thieves smashed their way into the Mount Pleasant Night Owl store early July 10 stealing a number of items. Picture: QPS

“Of more importance he’s picked up a stool form behind the counter and was able to scare them and fight them off.

“They were wearing masks and they were wearing gloves at the time of the offences.”

The pair fled the scene in a stolen Volkswagen Amarok, which had been taken earlier that morning from an East Mackay address.

“We certainly have no criticism of him … these things happen very quickly,” Senior Sergeant Eaton said.

“They were armed with knives, those knives were out in front of their body and they were making particular comments to the gentleman.

“More importantly he’s safe and well and it’s the offenders that we now seek.”

Senior Sergeant Eaton said CCTV footage showed a third person had been waiting in the vehicle at the time.

Barely 20 minutes later the stolen VW was at the Night Owl convenience store at Mount Pleasant.

CCTV captured the alleged offending. Picture: QPS

“They’ve broken into the store by smashing their way through the front door,” Senior Sergeant Eaton said, adding various items were stolen.

As they left “the vehicle was seen to drive erratically in the Kippen St, East Mackay about 6am”, he said.

Senior Sergeant Eaton said 24 hours later the stolen vehicle was found burnt out on Hume St, West Mackay.

No arrests have been made and police are calling for anyone with information about the armed robbery, break and enter or stolen vehicle to come forward.

Senior Sergeant Eaton said three people were involved in the string of offending and “without a shadow of a doubt someone will know the identity of one if not all three of these people”.

He said the vehicle had been stolen from a person’s address and also urged the community to be aware of security around their home.

Originally published as Stolen car linked to Marian armed robbery and Mount Pleasant break and enter