Police deployed to Goondiwindi after string of property offences

A Qld town is in ‘shock’, as armed offenders steal cars, smash in doors and windows, assault the elderly and threaten residents with machetes. SEE THE VIDEO

Additional police from around the Darling Downs have been sent to Goondiwindi in a bid to take down a group of offenders wanted for a string of alleged armed robberies and allegedly assaulting an elderly lady.

Since Thursday, the group has targeted motels and private properties across the border town, threatening people with machetes and stealing cars and abandoning and torching them only 5km away in NSW.

Trevor Hoole, one of the some 10,000 residents of Goondiwindi, said the “town is in shock”.

He has lived in the town for 63 years and said someone needed to speak up.

“It’s crime after crime after crime,” he said.

He said the crimes were from a group of repeat offenders and police could do little apart from arrest them, before they were let out again.

“We feel helpless with a weak state government that does nothing for us,” he said.

“There is no protection for victims of crime.”

A group of armed offenders has been on a three-day crime spree through Goondiwindi, threatening residents, an elderly lady, stealing cars and then abandoning and torching them across the border in NSW.

At 5am on Saturday, police allege the group entered a room at the Best Western Ascot Lodge on Phar Lap Court, threatened the 75-year-old occupant of the room, pushed her, and stole her handbag and keys to a silver Mazda with the Queensland registration YKY71U.

The woman was left with minor injuries.

Twenty minutes later, police allege the group entered a property on Veronica Ave and threatened both residents with a machete.

Demanding the keys, they stole a Ford Mustang with the Queensland registration 264EQ4, police said.

No one was injured from the threats.

Police are investigating earlier incidents from Thursday and Friday that involved a stolen Mitsubishi ASX, HiLux and a Lexus.

These three vehicles were found abandoned across the border in Boggabilla.

A group of armed offenders has been on a three-day crime spree through Goondiwindi, threatening residents, an elderly lady, stealing cars and then abandoning and torching them across the border in NSW.

Police have deployed extra resources to the region, believing all the incidents are connected.

“We want to reassure the community that we are working around the clock to find and charge these property offenders,” Acting Inspector Paula Smithard said in a statement.

“We have police units from South Burnett, Warwick, Drayton, and Highfields helping with extra patrols in the area.”

“The Tactical Crime Squad and the Dog Squad are also assisting.

“Investigations indicate this group is specifically targeting motels and accommodation businesses, but a few private properties have been targeted as well.

A group of armed offenders has been on a three-day crime spree through Goondiwindi, threatening residents, an elderly lady, stealing cars and then abandoning and torching them across the border in NSW.

“In some of these instances, the offenders are reported to be armed with large knives.

“Locals in the area are reminded to check their property security and take extra safety precautions during this time.”

Anyone with information or relevant footage relating to the incidents is urged to contact police.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24 hours per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Quote these reference numbers: QP2401376852, QP2401383450, QP2401383490, QP2401390815, QP2401390744, QP2401390770

Originally published as Police deployed to Goondiwindi after string of property offences