Police have tracked down a man allegedly responsible for breaking into several chemists across the Gold Coast.
The 42-year-old has been charged with 27 offences in relation to 7 alleged smash-and-grabs at stores in Ormeau and Pimpama in July and August this year.
The first offence was on July 14, with a stolen Toyota Hiace allegedly involved in two break-ins, at a chemist at Ormeau and an optometrist at Yeronga.
The stores were damaged and multiple items were stolen including men’s fragrances and lenses.
Five similar break-ins allegedly occurred at chemists in Pimpama and Ormeau on July 22, August 12, August 16 and August 20.
Fragrance cabinets were again raided in several of these robberies, while store-front windows were smashed and the stores were badly damaged.
Police established Operation Victor Height to investigate the incidents.
It’s understood police are still hunting for another offender, with officers initially alleging two offenders broke into the above businesses.
On October 3, detectives executed search warrants at two properties at Beenleigh and a third at Greenbank.
A 42-year-old local man was taken into custody at Beenleigh and charged with 27 offences, including seven counts each of enter premise and commit indictable offence by break, stealing and fraud and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possess drug utensils, unlicensed driving, fail to dispose of needle and two counts of possessing dangerous drugs.
He is expected to appear before Beenleigh Magistrates Court on October 12.
The raids also led to the arrest of a further five people, who have been charged with drug-related offences.
“It will be alleged at the second Beenleigh residence, police observed two people packaging cannabis allegedly for the purpose of supplying it,” a QPS statement reads.
“Police also allegedly seized from the address 300 grams of cannabis, $2000 cash, two tasers and drug utensils.”
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A 38-year-old Beenleigh man has been charged with one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, supplying dangerous drugs, possessing drug utensils, possessing proceeds of crime and two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon.
A 63-year-old Beenleigh woman has been charged with one count each of possessing dangerous drugs and supplying dangerous drugs.
They are expected to appear before Beenleigh Magistrates Court on November 11.
At the Greenbank search warrant it will be alleged a small quantity of methylamphetamine, cannabis, drug utensils, ammunition and prescription medication were located.
A 23-year-old Greenbank woman has been charged with one count of possession of restricted medication.
A 27-year-old Greenbank man has been charged with one count of authority required to possess explosives.
A 42-year-old Greenbank man has been charged with two counts of possessing dangerous drugs and one count of possessing drug utensils.
They are expected to appear before Beenleigh Magistrates Court on November 14.
Investigations remain ongoing, and police appeal to anyone with information to come forward.
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