Financial Crime Squad Detectives have charged two men for the alleged ram raid and arson of two tobacconists in Northern NSW.
About 4.30am on Sunday 22 September 2024, police were called to a tobacconist on Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District arrived to find a Toyota Corolla sedan, believed to have been stolen from Queensland, driven into a tobacconist, before two unknown males entered the business destroying several displays and stealing large amounts of cigarettes.
A crime scene was established, and police commenced an investigation into the incident.
A month later, about 2.40am on Tuesday 22 October, police were called to the same tobacconist, following reports a car had driven into a neighbouring business.
Police arrived to find a MG SUV had driven into the store – as bollards had been placed in front of the tobacconist – before two unknown men poured fuel inside the business and fled without setting it alight.
A crime scene was established, and police commenced an investigation into the incident.
About 3.30am the next day (Wednesday 23 October 2024), emergency services were called to River Street in Ballina, following reports of a building fire.
On arrival, officers attached to Richmond Police District located a silver Mercedes sedan inside the shopfront of a tobacconist, well alight.
Police were told the sedan drove into the business before the vehicle caught fire, with the occupants of the vehicle leaving the scene prior to police arrival.
Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the building was extensively damaged. Surrounding units were evacuated and two other vehicles were damaged by the blaze.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.
After initial investigations linked all three incidents, detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Financial Crime Squad’s Arson Unit commenced Strike Force Albany to investigate.
Following extensive inquiries, about 8.30am on Wednesday 27 November 2024, strike force detectives – with assistance from Tweed/Byron Police District and Queensland Police – executed five search warrants across Queensland in Redland Bay, Redbank Plains, Berrinba and Park Ridge.
At separate Park Ridge addresses, police arrested two men, aged 25 and 26.
During the searches, police located and seized a BMW sedan, electronics, CCTV and clothing items.
The men were taken to Brisbane Watchhouse, before strike force detectives applied for – and were granted – extradition to NSW.
They were transported to Tweed Heads Police Station yesterday (Thursday 28 November 2024), where the older man was charged with two counts of aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence-in company-not steal etc, aggravated break and enter with intent-in company-not steal etc, destroy etc property in company use fire etc >$5000 and participate criminal group contribute criminal
The younger man was charged with aggravated break and enter commit serious indictable offence-in company-not steal etc, attempt to destroy etc property in company use fire etc >$5000, aggravated break and enter with intent-in company-not steal etc and participate criminal group contribute criminal.
Both men were refused bail to appear in Tweed Heads Local Court today (Friday 29 November 2024).
Investigations under Strike Force Albany continue.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
