A gang of thieves remains on the run after ram-raiding a tobacconist in Redbank Plains, south-west of Brisbane.
The shop was allegedly rammed by a stolen MG station wagon around 5am before half a dozen people ran into the store, stealing handfuls of vapes.
Fire broke out in a neighbouring shop front as the group left the scene in another vehicle.
A witness headed home from the gym stumbled onto the scene and ran inside to warn others.
“He just saw… heaps of people going inside the shop and kind of running out and in black clothing,” gym instructor Netani Lesimaikimatuku said.
“Then out of nowhere you could just see this fire blazing up.”
Police were on the scene today.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Mark Kelly said this was the latest in a string of similar attacks.
”This calendar year in 2025 we’ve solved 10 arsons relating to tobacconists,” Kelly said.
Returning Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said police were taking the incident seriously.
“We know that this is happening nationally and, in fact, I’m meeting with the other commissioners later this week and we’ll be discussing in some detail about what’s happening in the other jurisdictions and looking at what we can learn from each other.”
