THIEVES RAID SHOP FOR THIRD TIME
SHORTLY before daybreak on Wednesday four thieves smashed their way into a Gowrie Junction store.
They stole only a handful of lollies and soft drinks, but left a damage bill that will run into thousands of dollars.
Gowrie One Stop Convenience Centre owner Clint Weber was disheartened by the burglary.
It was the second time thieves targeted his store in past three years.
“It is draining not only on myself, but also for my staff and that is my concern,” he said.
“I’m not really worried about the damage or the lost stock but it is the time and effort that goes into organising repairmen and the insurance claims that annoys me.
“It is a huge disruption.” The four thieves targeted one home and two businesses early Wednesday.
Sometime after 11pm Tuesday, they stole a silver Dodge Nitro (675XML) and a 2020 Black ASX SUV (299ZIV) from an address in Wilsonton.
The offenders were involved in a fuel drive-off at the Drayton 7-Eleven, about 1.30am yesterday.
They then drove the ASX to the Gowrie Junction store on Old Homebush Rd, where they used an unknown implement to force entry into the property, about 4.30am.
Toowoomba Sergeant Renee Crowe said they left the scene in the black ASX.
Police are reviewing CCTV footage captured at several locations to identify the offenders.
The Dodge Nitro was recovered in Wilsonton, but the ASX remains at-large.
In May last year thieves used a stolen HiLux ute to ram-raid the Gowrie One Stop Convenience Centre before driving off with the ATM’s internal cash draw, which contained a significant amount of money.
At the time, the thieves caused about $20,000 worth of damage.
While some customers rallied to support the store Mr Weber said he noticed a drop in trade and he anticipated it would happen again.
“When people find a place like this has been broken in to, they will stay away,” he said.
“They see it as an interruption to their lives.
“We experienced it last time, but then again we were all boarded up and we looked like we belonged in a thirdworld country.
Anyone with information that would aid the police investigation should phone Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
IT IS DRAINING NOT ONLY ON MYSELF, BUT ALSO FOR MY STAFF AND THAT IS MY CONCERN. CLINT WEBER, GOWRIE ONE STOP CONVENIENCE CENTRE OWNER