Arrests Made Following String of Tobacconist Attacks
Detectives from the Financial Crime Squad have charged two men, aged 25 and 26, in connection with three alleged tobacconist attacks in Northern NSW. These incidents involved ram raids and arson targeting businesses in Tweed Heads South and Ballina.
The first incident occurred on September 22, 2024, when a stolen Toyota Corolla crashed into a Tweed Heads tobacconist, leading to significant damage and cigarette theft. On October 22, an MG SUV rammed a neighboring store, where fuel was poured but not ignited. A day later, a Mercedes sedan drove into a Ballina tobacconist and was set ablaze, causing extensive damage to the building and nearby units.
Strike Force Albany was established to investigate the incidents. Police linked all three events and executed five search warrants across Queensland on November 27, 2024. During the operation, police seized a BMW sedan, electronics, clothing, and CCTV footage.
The suspects were extradited to NSW and charged with offenses including aggravated break and enter, arson, and participation in a criminal group. Both were denied bail and appeared in Tweed Heads Local Court on November 29, 2024. Investigations under Strike Force Albany remain ongoing.
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