The new 'smash-and-grab' trend: Thieves preying on local chemists

Members, this week, police have been trying to catch a group of criminals in Queensland who seem to have thrown them for a loop.

It seems thieves have been targeting local chemists and pharmacies and employ a 'smash-and-grab' approach to stealing various products.


Allegations have arisen that the two offenders began the crime spree on or around the 14th of July and continued breaking into stores until August 20.

CCTV footage dated July 14–released by the Queensland Police Service–showed two people arriving in a white Toyota Hiace van after 2 am in front of a chemist on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau. They allegedly smashed the front window, stole a couple of men’s fragrances and damaged the shelves.


photo (9).jpg
The Queensland Police Service released CCTV footage of the crime on July 14. Credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook


Around 3:30 am on the same day, two persons with the same description allegedly broke into an optometrist on Fairfield Road in Yeronga and fled with stock, which included lenses.


According to the police report, it was alleged that the thieves–a man and a woman–also targeted a chemist in Nexus Drive in Pimpama three times: first on July 22, then on August 12, and finally on August 20.

The earlier chemist on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau was broken into again on August 16, following the July 14th theft.

The offenders wore hoodies, masks, and gloves before fleeing in the white van.

The van was possibly a 2006 model and has been sighted with differing number plates. The police allege this was the same van linked to a series of fuel 'drive-offs' happening across the region. However, small changes have been noted between thefts.


Screenshot 2023-08-24 110853.png
The thieves allegedly used the same van in all offences. Credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook


The alleged perpetrators' reckless behaviour was brought to the public's attention in an interview this week by National’s Senator Matt Canavan.


'In Queensland, the Queensland government in 2019 changed their law so that for youth offenders judges had to take a presumption in favour of release,' said Canavan.

He continued: 'That was their words, a presumption in favour of release. The consequences of that are playing out on the streets every day. They need to reverse that, get rid of that, because throwing kids back in the gang environment, often with no parental supervision, is leading to the worse rates in the country.'

The police urges anyone who has information about the break-ins or who might be able to assist with identifying the van or the thieves to contact them.

You can watch the CCTV footage here:



Key Takeaways
  • Police are currently investigating a crime spree involving multiple break-ins at chemists and medical stores in Queensland.
  • The alleged offences were often conducted by two individuals in hoodies, who used a crowbar to break in, focussing particularly on fragrance cabinets at chemists.
  • The alleged offenders used a white Toyota Hiace van for all noticed offences, and the van was often reported to have differing number plates.
  • National’s Senator Matt Canavan has called on the state governments to support police and enforce laws to in response to the rising crime spree and recidivism rates, particularly among young offenders.

Keep an eye out, members! Don’t hesitate to contact the authorities if you have any information about a crime.

What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
 
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Qld hasn’t been called the crime capital of Australia for nothing , this government has always been soft on criminals and to hell with the victims.
 
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Members, this week, police have been trying to catch a group of criminals in Queensland who seem to have thrown them for a loop.

It seems thieves have been targeting local chemists and pharmacies and employ a 'smash-and-grab' approach to stealing various products.


Allegations have arisen that the two offenders began the crime spree on or around the 14th of July and continued breaking into stores until August 20.

CCTV footage dated July 14–released by the Queensland Police Service–showed two people arriving in a white Toyota Hiace van after 2 am in front of a chemist on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau. They allegedly smashed the front window, stole a couple of men’s fragrances and damaged the shelves.


View attachment 28213
The Queensland Police Service released CCTV footage of the crime on July 14. Credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook


Around 3:30 am on the same day, two persons with the same description allegedly broke into an optometrist on Fairfield Road in Yeronga and fled with stock, which included lenses.


According to the police report, it was alleged that the thieves–a man and a woman–also targeted a chemist in Nexus Drive in Pimpama three times: first on July 22, then on August 12, and finally on August 20.

The earlier chemist on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau was broken into again on August 16, following the July 14th theft.

The offenders wore hoodies, masks, and gloves before fleeing in the white van.

The van was possibly a 2006 model and has been sighted with differing number plates. The police allege this was the same van linked to a series of fuel 'drive-offs' happening across the region. However, small changes have been noted between thefts.


View attachment 28214
The thieves allegedly used the same van in all offences. Credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook


The alleged perpetrators' reckless behaviour was brought to the public's attention in an interview this week by National’s Senator Matt Canavan.


'In Queensland, the Queensland government in 2019 changed their law so that for youth offenders judges had to take a presumption in favour of release,' said Canavan.

He continued: 'That was their words, a presumption in favour of release. The consequences of that are playing out on the streets every day. They need to reverse that, get rid of that, because throwing kids back in the gang environment, often with no parental supervision, is leading to the worse rates in the country.'

The police urges anyone who has information about the break-ins or who might be able to assist with identifying the van or the thieves to contact them.

You can watch the CCTV footage here:



Key Takeaways

  • Police are currently investigating a crime spree involving multiple break-ins at chemists and medical stores in Queensland.
  • The alleged offences were often conducted by two individuals in hoodies, who used a crowbar to break in, focussing particularly on fragrance cabinets at chemists.
  • The alleged offenders used a white Toyota Hiace van for all noticed offences, and the van was often reported to have differing number plates.
  • National’s Senator Matt Canavan has called on the state governments to support police and enforce laws to in response to the rising crime spree and recidivism rates, particularly among young offenders.

Keep an eye out, members! Don’t hesitate to contact the authorities if you have any information about a crime.

What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Queen Anna denies any problems. Look at what happened at the rally the other day. She sat in her office while the rally was on and then they escorted one of the people to her office. I so wish we did not have her and her different hairstyles every day in out face. Like her, no i do not.
 
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Members, this week, police have been trying to catch a group of criminals in Queensland who seem to have thrown them for a loop.

It seems thieves have been targeting local chemists and pharmacies and employ a 'smash-and-grab' approach to stealing various products.


Allegations have arisen that the two offenders began the crime spree on or around the 14th of July and continued breaking into stores until August 20.

CCTV footage dated July 14–released by the Queensland Police Service–showed two people arriving in a white Toyota Hiace van after 2 am in front of a chemist on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau. They allegedly smashed the front window, stole a couple of men’s fragrances and damaged the shelves.


View attachment 28213
The Queensland Police Service released CCTV footage of the crime on July 14. Credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook


Around 3:30 am on the same day, two persons with the same description allegedly broke into an optometrist on Fairfield Road in Yeronga and fled with stock, which included lenses.


According to the police report, it was alleged that the thieves–a man and a woman–also targeted a chemist in Nexus Drive in Pimpama three times: first on July 22, then on August 12, and finally on August 20.

The earlier chemist on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau was broken into again on August 16, following the July 14th theft.

The offenders wore hoodies, masks, and gloves before fleeing in the white van.

The van was possibly a 2006 model and has been sighted with differing number plates. The police allege this was the same van linked to a series of fuel 'drive-offs' happening across the region. However, small changes have been noted between thefts.


View attachment 28214
The thieves allegedly used the same van in all offences. Credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook


The alleged perpetrators' reckless behaviour was brought to the public's attention in an interview this week by National’s Senator Matt Canavan.


'In Queensland, the Queensland government in 2019 changed their law so that for youth offenders judges had to take a presumption in favour of release,' said Canavan.

He continued: 'That was their words, a presumption in favour of release. The consequences of that are playing out on the streets every day. They need to reverse that, get rid of that, because throwing kids back in the gang environment, often with no parental supervision, is leading to the worse rates in the country.'

The police urges anyone who has information about the break-ins or who might be able to assist with identifying the van or the thieves to contact them.

You can watch the CCTV footage here:



Key Takeaways

  • Police are currently investigating a crime spree involving multiple break-ins at chemists and medical stores in Queensland.
  • The alleged offences were often conducted by two individuals in hoodies, who used a crowbar to break in, focussing particularly on fragrance cabinets at chemists.
  • The alleged offenders used a white Toyota Hiace van for all noticed offences, and the van was often reported to have differing number plates.
  • National’s Senator Matt Canavan has called on the state governments to support police and enforce laws to in response to the rising crime spree and recidivism rates, particularly among young offenders.

Keep an eye out, members! Don’t hesitate to contact the authorities if you have any information about a crime.

What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Makes me angry that kids think they have the right to take things that don’t belong to them. We work hard for everything that we’ve got and shop owners have worked their entire life to be where they are and to have what they have, and you get punk kids that come along and think they can do that shit our laws are too easy they need to be harder, Judges need to be harder with the punishment and if our judges can’t hand down the punishment that they deserve then get off the bench and let someone that has the guts to do on it.
 
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Queen Anna denies any problems. Look at what happened at the rally the other day. She sat in her office while the rally was on and then they escorted one of the people to her office. I so wish we did not have her and her different hairstyles every day in out face. Like her, no i do not.
You hit the nail on the head ,she is gutless and can’t face the problems she’s caused or the people who have suffered because of her incompetence.
 
Members, this week, police have been trying to catch a group of criminals in Queensland who seem to have thrown them for a loop.

It seems thieves have been targeting local chemists and pharmacies and employ a 'smash-and-grab' approach to stealing various products.


Allegations have arisen that the two offenders began the crime spree on or around the 14th of July and continued breaking into stores until August 20.

CCTV footage dated July 14–released by the Queensland Police Service–showed two people arriving in a white Toyota Hiace van after 2 am in front of a chemist on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau. They allegedly smashed the front window, stole a couple of men’s fragrances and damaged the shelves.


View attachment 28213
The Queensland Police Service released CCTV footage of the crime on July 14. Credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook


Around 3:30 am on the same day, two persons with the same description allegedly broke into an optometrist on Fairfield Road in Yeronga and fled with stock, which included lenses.


According to the police report, it was alleged that the thieves–a man and a woman–also targeted a chemist in Nexus Drive in Pimpama three times: first on July 22, then on August 12, and finally on August 20.

The earlier chemist on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau was broken into again on August 16, following the July 14th theft.

The offenders wore hoodies, masks, and gloves before fleeing in the white van.

The van was possibly a 2006 model and has been sighted with differing number plates. The police allege this was the same van linked to a series of fuel 'drive-offs' happening across the region. However, small changes have been noted between thefts.


View attachment 28214
The thieves allegedly used the same van in all offences. Credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook


The alleged perpetrators' reckless behaviour was brought to the public's attention in an interview this week by National’s Senator Matt Canavan.


'In Queensland, the Queensland government in 2019 changed their law so that for youth offenders judges had to take a presumption in favour of release,' said Canavan.

He continued: 'That was their words, a presumption in favour of release. The consequences of that are playing out on the streets every day. They need to reverse that, get rid of that, because throwing kids back in the gang environment, often with no parental supervision, is leading to the worse rates in the country.'

The police urges anyone who has information about the break-ins or who might be able to assist with identifying the van or the thieves to contact them.

You can watch the CCTV footage here:



Key Takeaways

  • Police are currently investigating a crime spree involving multiple break-ins at chemists and medical stores in Queensland.
  • The alleged offences were often conducted by two individuals in hoodies, who used a crowbar to break in, focussing particularly on fragrance cabinets at chemists.
  • The alleged offenders used a white Toyota Hiace van for all noticed offences, and the van was often reported to have differing number plates.
  • National’s Senator Matt Canavan has called on the state governments to support police and enforce laws to in response to the rising crime spree and recidivism rates, particularly among young offenders.

Keep an eye out, members! Don’t hesitate to contact the authorities if you have any information about a crime.

What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

I don't know how to stop the burglaries , although a 9mm tablet may have an effect , but why are fuel companies not introducing 'pay before you fill up' in Australia ? It worked well from what I could see in the USA in 2006 , when we were there . I thought it was a great idea
 
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Members, this week, police have been trying to catch a group of criminals in Queensland who seem to have thrown them for a loop.

It seems thieves have been targeting local chemists and pharmacies and employ a 'smash-and-grab' approach to stealing various products.


Allegations have arisen that the two offenders began the crime spree on or around the 14th of July and continued breaking into stores until August 20.

CCTV footage dated July 14–released by the Queensland Police Service–showed two people arriving in a white Toyota Hiace van after 2 am in front of a chemist on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau. They allegedly smashed the front window, stole a couple of men’s fragrances and damaged the shelves.


View attachment 28213
The Queensland Police Service released CCTV footage of the crime on July 14. Credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook


Around 3:30 am on the same day, two persons with the same description allegedly broke into an optometrist on Fairfield Road in Yeronga and fled with stock, which included lenses.


According to the police report, it was alleged that the thieves–a man and a woman–also targeted a chemist in Nexus Drive in Pimpama three times: first on July 22, then on August 12, and finally on August 20.

The earlier chemist on Vaughan Drive in Ormeau was broken into again on August 16, following the July 14th theft.

The offenders wore hoodies, masks, and gloves before fleeing in the white van.

The van was possibly a 2006 model and has been sighted with differing number plates. The police allege this was the same van linked to a series of fuel 'drive-offs' happening across the region. However, small changes have been noted between thefts.


View attachment 28214
The thieves allegedly used the same van in all offences. Credit: Queensland Police Service/Facebook


The alleged perpetrators' reckless behaviour was brought to the public's attention in an interview this week by National’s Senator Matt Canavan.


'In Queensland, the Queensland government in 2019 changed their law so that for youth offenders judges had to take a presumption in favour of release,' said Canavan.

He continued: 'That was their words, a presumption in favour of release. The consequences of that are playing out on the streets every day. They need to reverse that, get rid of that, because throwing kids back in the gang environment, often with no parental supervision, is leading to the worse rates in the country.'

The police urges anyone who has information about the break-ins or who might be able to assist with identifying the van or the thieves to contact them.

You can watch the CCTV footage here:



Key Takeaways

  • Police are currently investigating a crime spree involving multiple break-ins at chemists and medical stores in Queensland.
  • The alleged offences were often conducted by two individuals in hoodies, who used a crowbar to break in, focussing particularly on fragrance cabinets at chemists.
  • The alleged offenders used a white Toyota Hiace van for all noticed offences, and the van was often reported to have differing number plates.
  • National’s Senator Matt Canavan has called on the state governments to support police and enforce laws to in response to the rising crime spree and recidivism rates, particularly among young offenders.

Keep an eye out, members! Don’t hesitate to contact the authorities if you have any information about a crime.

What do you think of this story, members? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Scary 😨
 
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Reactions: Leenie

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