Bizarre break-in spree
DETECTIVES are on the hunt for the thieves behind an alarming string of break-ins at businesses across Warwick over the weekend, with three taking place in only a few hours.
Offenders first struck at a mechanic’s workshop on Kenilworth St between midnight Saturday and the same time on Sunday, busting open the lock on the front sliding door to gain entry.
Warwick police acting officer-in-charge Cameron Slater said the thieves also turned off power to the building, but did not steal any property from the premises.
Burglars then targeted The Dairy Lounge between 4pm Sunday and 6.30am Monday, forcing their way in by jemmying open the drive-through window and taking a cash register once inside.
Sergeant Slater said it did not appear to have been holding any substantial amount of cash at the time of the theft.
It was only hours later between 2am and 7.30am on Monday that thieves struck yet again, this time hitting the Cleaning and Catering premises on Grafton St. Offenders again popped out one of the building’s side windows and ransacked the office, tearing through drawers and trying their luck with a safe that was unlocked but empty. The bizarre pattern of break-ins without any property actually being stolen continued when offenders tried to force their way into Burson Auto Parts on Albion St about 5.30am Monday.
Sergeant Slater said the culprits kicked a large hole in and caused other damage to the side access door of the building, but the group was soon thwarted by quick-thinking witnesses.
“Neighbours heard the noise at that time, so went outside and yelled at the suspect, causing them to leave,” he said.
“So again, doesn’t look like anything has been taken, but again the door has been damaged.”
All break-ins remain under investigation and no charges have been laid at this stage.
Property-related crime was not the only thing keeping Warwick police busy over the weekend.
A 50-year-old Gatton man has been slapped with a hefty $1286 fine and six-month licence suspension after he was busted flying at 138km/h along the 80km/h stretch of Bracker Rd on Saturday afternoon.
It comes as two Warwick residents, a 49-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, were both charged with drug driving after being nabbed by police on Churchill Dr and Albion St respectively.
A Wildash man will also soon face court after he was allegedly caught behind the wheel at nearly twice the legal alcohol limit, with police claiming the 46-year-old recorded a blood alcohol concentration of 0.097 when he was pulled over on Old Stanthorpe Rd.
He was charged with drink driving. All three residents are due to appear in Warwick Magistrates Court in the coming weeks.