Spree of Robberies in Queensland

Detectives from the Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch have charged two men with multiple robbery counts following a series of thefts across Ipswich and Brisbane. The incidents, which occurred earlier in March, involved threats and theft at several convenience stores and a liquor store.

The Queensland Police Service reports that on the evening of March 5, two men targeted a convenience store on Redbank Plains Road, Redbank Plains, where they threatened an employee for cash. They fled after being interrupted by another individual. The following day, the same duo allegedly threatened another store clerk at Beaudesert Road, Calamvale, before proceeding to steal cash and cigarettes from an Alawoona Street store later that night.

The crime spree continued with thefts from stores at Yeronga and Taringa on March 10, culminating in a robbery at a liquor store on March 12. The two men, aged 24 from Rocklea and 27 from Redbank Plains, face seven counts of robbery each and are currently in custody, awaiting their court appearance scheduled for April 1 in Ipswich Magistrates Court.

In response to these and other similar crimes, Queensland Police have initiated Operation Yankee Forge. This six-month, district-led initiative aims to tackle high harm and high volume offences, including robbery, unlawful use of motor vehicles, and unlawful entry. The operation will see increased police presence and coordinated activities across the state to enhance community safety and reduce crime rates. The police encourage anyone with information related to these crimes to contact Policelink or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers.