Thieves looking for smokes target multiple Toowoomba businesses

One small business has lost tens of thousands of dollars worth of stock after three people broke into the store, ripped open the smoke cabinet and cleaned it out during a wild crime spree across Toowoomba.

Police are searching for a group of thieves who ransacked six businesses in a crime spree across Toowoomba.

According to the initial police report, up to three people forced their way into the Metro Petroleum service station in Harristown about 1am on Tuesday.

They gained entry by smashing the front glass door before prying open the smoke cabinet and stealing an amount of cigarettes.

The same offenders then forced entry to the Liquorland bottle shop on Glenvale Rd about 1.20am and stole a quantity of spirits.

A group of thieves broke into at least six Toowoomba stores overnight, stealing alcohol and cigarettes. They caused extensive damage to the Ezy Convenience Store at Hill Street, Newtown, where they stole a large amount of smokes and chocolate bars.

By about 1.45am they were at the Uniplaza Shopping Mall where they forced entry to a grocery store, a butchery and a bakery.

They were scared off by the centre’s alarms, leaving with a small amount of cash and drink items.

A short time later they forced entry to the Ezy Convenience Store at Hill St and trashed the business, tearing up a cigarette cabinet.

CCTV captured the raid in action and three people can be seen loading up several boxes and bags with smokes and chocolate bars.

Chocolate bars were littered with broken glass after the thieves struck. .

Police have linked a stolen 2018 Blue Mazda CX-5 (422YDD) to the break-ins and have urged witnesses to come forward.

“We are seeking information from the public,” Toowoomba Criminal Investigation Branch Officer-in-Charge Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said.

“If anyone was in the area at the time and saw any vehicles please come forward.

“Police are reviewing CCTV and there has been a forensic examination of the scenes.”

If you have any information phone Policelink on 131 444.