Two teenagers have been charged in relation to a string of property crime offences across the Toowoomba area on Monday April 4.
At approximately 2am a group of offenders broke into a James Street grocery store in East Toowoomba, smashing a door and causing damage to several cash registers.
A short time later, two stores inside a shopping centre at Kearney Springs were broken into and a quantity of jewellery stolen.
It is alleged that two stolen vehicles which were linked to these offences, were involved in a break in at an O’Neill Circuit home in Kearney Springs at approximately 4.45am.
The occupants of the home confronted several offenders, who ran from the scene.
Today (Tuesday April 5) investigations lead Toowoomba detectives to arrest a 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy.
The 15-year-old boy has been charged with three counts of break and enter and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, robbery with violence (in company), possess dangerous drugs and possess drug utensils.
The 16-year-old boy has been charged with three counts of break and enter, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, one count each of robbery with violence (in company), stealing, possess dangerous drugs and possess drug utensils.
The 16-year-old boy has also been charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of burglary and enter premises and commit indictable offence, in relation to three alleged break and enters between Thursday March 31 and Sunday April 3.
On the evening of March 31, a Centenary Heights home was allegedly broken into, and a Toyota Landcruiser was stolen.
It is alleged just after midnight on Saturday April 2, the stolen Landcruiser was driven into a Taylor Street service station, causing damage to the business.
At approximately midday on Sunday April 3, offenders have entered a Merrol Street home and allegedly threatened a woman in her 60s with what appeared to be a gun, baseball bat and plank of wood.
It will be alleged the group demanded the woman’s car keys and wallet, before stealing a BMW and Volkswagen Golf.
Both teenagers will appear before Toowoomba Children’s Court, where police will oppose bail.
Toowoomba Crime Investigation Branch Officer in Charge, Detective Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker says police are dedicated to disrupting property crime in the district.
“It is a small group of recidivist offenders, but the impact of their crimes on the victims and our community is profound.”
“Darling Downs detectives are committed to getting these offenders off our streets and putting them before the court to face justice.”
Investigations into these incidents are ongoing.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
