By Sonia Isaacs
A BRAZEN Australia Day ram raid that left Mooloolah Valley Mitre 10 trashed and thousands of dollars’ worth of stock stolen struck just months after the store was refurbished.
Mooloolah Valley Mitre 10 co-owner, Nick Duggan, said six offenders smashed their way into the Bray Road store in the early hours of the morning, using two vehicles to ram through glass doors on the side of the building.
CCTV footage shows the break-in unfolding about 4.30am, with the vehicles repeatedly driven into the doors before the offenders entered the store, racing through the aisles and targeting high-value items.
Nick’s nephew and business partner, Isaac Duggan, who opens the store most mornings, received an alert on his phone and was on site within about 15 minutes, but the offenders were long gone.
“They were probably in the shop two minutes, max,” Mr Duggan said.
“They just kind of tore the place up as they went through, trying to steal the cash drawers and just dropping stuff everywhere.”
Once inside, the group headed straight for power equipment, generators, chargers and batteries, stealing thousands of dollars’ worth of stock before fleeing the scene.
Two glass doors were destroyed and the store was left in disarray, with debris, tools and shelving scattered across the floor.
Despite the damage, staff and support members worked through the early morning to clean up the store so it could reopen to customers by about 7am.
Mr Duggan said ram raids caused extensive damage regardless of how quickly they occurred.
“You feel angry and violated,” he said.
“We’ve put 14 months into rebuilding this place, investing in the business and the community, and then you walk in and see that.”
CCTV footage shows all six offenders wearing masks and gloves, making identification difficult.
Police have obtained number plates from external cameras, with initial checks suggesting rental car plates. Mr Duggan said investigators believe the plates may have been stolen and attached to stolen vehicles.
One of the vehicles involved was later located burnt out at Morayfield.
Officers have also been liaising with nearby businesses, including the service station on Connection Road and the site’s landlord, who has CCTV coverage across the complex.
While police have not confirmed links to other incidents, Mr Duggan said he had been told the same group may have been involved in at least one other ram raid at Currimundi.
Mitre 10 Mooloolah expects to replace the stolen stock within about a week, while the damaged doors remain temporarily boarded up as builders assess longer-term repairs.
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson confirmed police were investigating a break and enter at a business in Mooloolah Valley on Australia Day.
“It is reported that around 4.30am a blue Toyota Corolla and a white Hyundai Venue were driven into the back of a Bray Road business, causing significant damage,” the spokesperson said.
“A number of power tools and business stock were stolen.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have relevant dashcam or CCTV should contact CrimeStoppers 1800 333 000.
