Financial Crime Squad detectives have released CCTV as they appeal for information following the ram raid and arson of two tobacconists at Tweed and Ballina.
Photo NSW Police
Tweed
About 4.30am on Sunday, 22 September, 2024, police were called to a tobacconist on Minjungbal Drive, Tweed Heads South, following reports of a crash.
Officers attached to Tweed/Byron Police District arrived to find a Toyota Corolla sedan, believed to have been stolen from Queensland, driven into a tobacconist, before two unknown males entered the business destroying several displays and stealing large amounts of cigarettes.
A crime scene was established, and police commenced an investigation into the incident.
Photo NSW Police
A month later, about 2.40am on Tuesday, 22 October, police were called to the same tobacconist, following reports a car had driven into a neighbouring business.
Police arrived to find a MG SUV had driven into the store – as bollards had been placed in front of the tobacconist – before two unknown men poured fuel inside the business and fled without setting it alight.
A crime scene was established, and police commenced an investigation into the incident.
Ballina
About 3.30am the next day (Wednesday, 23 October, 2024), emergency services were called to River Street in Ballina, following reports of a building fire.
On arrival, officers attached to Richmond Police District located a silver Mercedes sedan inside the shopfront of a tobacconist, well alight.
Police were told the sedan drove into the business before the vehicle caught fire, with the occupants of the vehicle leaving the scene prior to police arrival.
Fire and Rescue NSW attended and extinguished the blaze; however, the building was extensively damaged.
Surrounding units were evacuated and two other vehicles were damaged by the blaze.
No injuries have been reported as a result of the incident.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the incident has commenced.
Following initial investigations linking all three incidents, detectives attached to State Crime Command’s Financial Crime Squad’s Arson Unit commenced Strike Force Albany to investigate the incidents.
As part of investigations, strike force detectives have released CCTV of the two ram raids at the Tweed Heads South tobacconist.
Detectives are also hoping to speak to the driver and passengers of a dark coloured sedan seen leaving the scene of the second ram raid.
Ocean Shores
There was also a fire at the Ocean Shores tobacconist at about 12.45am on Tuesday, 6 August though police have not claimed any link between the Ballina and Tweed ram raids and fire and the one at Ocean Shores.
Anyone with information about any of the incidents are urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
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