Gangs target centre stores
POLICE are investigating a string of break- ins at Townsville shops throughout the Christmas period.
CastleTown was broken into twice with two stores being hit, while a third attempt was made to enter the centre with the offenders unsuccessful.
The Reject Shop at the centre was robbed when three suspects broke into the business about 2am on Christmas morning.
Mundingburra police station officer- in- charge Senior Sergeant Graeme Patterson said deodorants were stolen.
The aerosols taken are commonly linked to chroming.
Sen- Sgt Patterson said the Dumpling Dynasty shop at CastleTown was hit by thieves on Christmas as well.
Staff reported to police the store was closed but on Boxing Day they found evidence someone had gone through cash registers.
It was unclear if anything was stolen.
Sen- Sgt Patterson said that about 7pm on Boxing Day two women were caught on CCTV trying to break into the centre but they failed and fled the scene.
Sprout Grocers, at the Hyde Park Centre, was also targeted.
Sen- Sgt Patterson said someone forced entry to the store between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day during which the shop was closed.
It is unclear what, if anything, was stolen.
Sen- Sgt Patterson said police were investigating whether or not some of the offences were linked.
“Sometimes with shopping centres there’s a series of offences that might occur inside one centre because there’s multiple tenancies at the same location,” Sen- Sgt Patterson said.
“Police have been making inquiries and hopefully there will be a breakthrough leading to the arrest of these offenders.”
Anyone with information on any of the incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Police Link on 131 444.