Detectives have charged three people with eighty-one offences following a major investigation into the alleged armed robberies of four fast food outlets across Ipswich and Brisbane’s southside earlier this week.
Officers will allege the group are responsible for the armed robbery of a fast food restaurant at Commercial Drive, Springfield around 9.30pm, Sunday January 15 and the subsequent armed robberies the following night of three fast food businesses between 9.15 and 9.40pm in Rocklea, Salisbury and Algester. Both incidents allegedly saw multiple employees threatened by the group, who were armed with a firearm and knives and who stole cash.
Early yesterday morning, January 22, officers executed simultaneous search warrants at Michael Street, Ellen Grove and Swallow Street, Inala, resulting in three people being taken into custody without incident.
At the Michael Street address, officers also recovered a bronze 1998 VT Commodore, alleged to have been used in connection with the alleged armed robberies.
A 29-year-old Mansfield man was charged with ten counts of armed robbery, sixteen counts of deprivation of liberty, four counts of enter premises to commit indictable offence, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of stealing, driving unregistered, driving whilst disqualified and using false registration plates.
An 18-year-old Ellen Grove woman was charged with ten counts of armed robbery, twenty-two counts of deprivation of liberty, three counts of enter premises with intent and two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
A 21-year-old Ellen Grove man was charged with one count of armed robbery, five counts of deprivation of liberty and one count each of attempted robbery and enter premises with intent.
The trio were denied police bail and will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today, Monday January 23.
Brisbane Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Superintendent Andrew Massingham said the arrests were the result of tireless collaboration between the Upper Mount Gravatt, Acacia Ridge and Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branches.
‘Dozens of detectives have worked around the clock to bring this matter before the courts and their thoughts remain with the young victims who continue to be offered support,’ Detective Superintendent Massingham said.
‘I continue to appeal to the public to come forward with information that could assist police as investigations into these matters remain ongoing. No piece of the puzzle is too small and anonymous reports can be made via Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.’
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