TWO cars stolen from near Weinam Creek ferry terminal have been used by brazen crooks during the theft of an automated teller machine from a cafe at Archerfield on Brisbane’s southside.
Redland Bay police said the old white Toyota HiLux utilities, owned by Southern Moreton Bay islanders, were stolen sometime over the weekend from the vicinity.
The cars arrived at a Wacol petrol station about 2am on Monday before they were refueled and driven off without payment.
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The utes were then driven to Archerfield about 3.30am, where they were used in connection with the robbery of an ATM.
Division five councillor Mark Edwards said he wanted CCTV to be installed across parking areas at Weinam Creek as a matter of urgency to help police solve crimes, even if placed temporarily before the area was redeveloped.
He said council was working towards a memorandum with Queensland Police and TransLink to work out responsibilities and where CCTV cameras needed to go.
“They tell me CCTV doesn’t stop crime but helps solve it,” he said.
“Council’s role is supplying and installing,” he said. “It is a policing matter … council is not in the role of policing.
“I’d like to think that this time next year, that CCTV will be done and installed.”
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson said police were alerted to the incident at Archerfield when alarms were activated.
It is understood the ATM was not owned by cafe operators but kept on site, with the cafe’s doors torn off their hinges during the robbery.
The police spokesperson said no other property was stolen from the cafe.
“It is believed nothing was taken which belonged to the cafe however the front doors were significantly damaged from the incident,” the spokesperson said.
“Anyone who may have noticed any suspicious behaviour in the area at the time is urged to contact police.”
Redland Bay station Acting Senior Sergeant Graham Staib said investigations into the thefts continued but it appeared the offenders might not be from the area.
The incident followed on from other property offences at Weinam Creek ferry terminal, which continued to be the worst area for property crimes in the Redland Bay policing district.
“It is our priority area,” Acting Senior Sergeant Staib said.
Wheels were pinched from cars, numbers plates stolen and a vehicle stealing attempt made earlier this month.
More cars have been targeted this week, with two sets of registration plates stolen, the letter X scatched into a car’s bonnet at Tina Street on Monday and property, including tools and clothing, taken from two vehicles.
Cars can be parked for days and weeks at a time at the Weinam Creek ferry terminal, meaning damage to vehicles and thefts were sometimes not reported until weeks after crimes.
A lack of CCTV across parking areas meant it was difficult for police to pinpoint offence time frames.
The stolen cars’ registration numbers plates are:
– White 1999 Toyota HiLux – 461 XPN
– White 1991 Toyota HiLux – MDV68
Those with information can contact Policelink on 131 444 or make an anonymous report to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
