Brazen thieves ‘had wads of $100 notes’
NASH Attwal has dealt with plenty of shoplifters in two decades running his Chevron Island supermarket – but nothing like this alleged posse of thieving mummies.
The “boisterous” group of women, complete with children in tow, are alleged to have brazenly stolen $100 of meat from SPAR Chevron Island even after being forced to return other groceries they had tried to pilfer.
They are part of a group of nine men and women, all believed to be Irish tourists, linked to 12 scams and stealing offences between Brisbane and the Gold Coast since January.
This includes two men refusing to pay for meals at a Broadbeach restaurant and homeowners at Oxenford, Highland Park and Labrador falling prey handymen.
It is understood police visited Broadbeach’s Phoenican Resort after a tip-off members of the group were there but “missed” them.
Mr Attwal said the “welldressed” women aroused his to duplicitous suspicions when they entered his store on March 3.
“They started shopping a bit erratically, all gathering near the fridges, and I thought ‘I better have a quick look at these girls’,” he said.
“I watched them for a while and they were loading their (hand) bags up like crazy … when I served them, I asked what they had in their bags and they each had about $15-20 of food.
“As I would deal with one though, the others were filling up bags beneath the counter (out of my sight). They were arranging things, putting stuff in their bags and walking out.
“They paid for the cheap stuff like milk and bread but got away with eight trays of meat and one tray of buffalo wings … they said they were off to a barbecue but clearly the meat was being supplied by me free (laughs).”
Police said the group’s strategy involved disruptive and aggressive behaviour designed to distract or intimidate staff, with prams often used to hide stolen property.
Mr Attwal said: “One of the women had a child less than a year old in her arms.
“Then there was a three to four-year-old walking around helping herself to whatever she wanted because we were busy with the women. She was opening packets and drinking whatever she wanted.
“The thing is they had plenty of money. They had wads of $50 and $100 notes … I saved about $60-$70 of goods but they got away with about $100 worth.”
The wider group has been accused of refusing to pay for meals and drinks at restaurants after claiming glass or hair was found in their food.
“They are aggressive and usually work in groups of two or more,” detective superintendent Tony Fleming said.
Another scam involves several men offering discounted home repairs and failing to complete the work or even turn up.
Anyone with information is urged to phone 131 444.