Pharmacies targeted in ram-raids

Melanie Maeseele | 31st August 2009

BRAZEN thieves ram-raided three pharmacies in Ipswich in less than an hour and others forced their way through a security door at a Boonah pharmacy.

SMASH AND GRAB: Police have released footage of an offender and vehicle believed to be involved in ram raids in Ipswich.

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BRAZEN thieves ram-raided three pharmacies in Ipswich in less than an hour and others forced their way through a security door at a Boonah pharmacy at the weekend.

The robbers escaped with some cold and flu tablets, lollies and a small amount of cash in the three ram-raids, which police say are linked.

At about 5.15am on Saturday, two male offenders smashed their way through the front of a pharmacy at Springfield Fair Shopping Centre, on the corner of Springfield Parkway and Topaz Road.

The offenders stole several packets of cold and flu tablets. The products did not contain pseudoephedrine - a key ingredient used in the manufacture of amphetamines - police said.

Less than 45 minutes later the thieves drove through glass doors at the Riverlink shopping centre to gain access to another pharmacy, where they stole cash.

Ten minutes later, the pharmacy at Roderick Street in Ipswich was targeted but the thieves left with nothing.

Ipswich Criminal Investigation Branch Sergeant Tom Armit says police are searching for two males, aged in their early 20s.

Both men are known to the police.

“We have obtained video footage from two of the three ram-raids and have identified they are the same offenders,” Sgt Armit said.

“Once they have entered (the pharmacies), they had to search the place but they were out within a matter of seconds.”

Police are searching for a red 1988 Mitsubishi Magna that was used in the ram-raids.

The vehicle was stolen from the Plainland area.

In a separate incident, at about 2.50am on Saturday, two males forced their way through a rear security door to the Boonah pharmacy on High Street and stole several packets of cold and flu tablets containing pseudoephedrine.

Police were investigating the links between the three burglaries in the Ipswich region but had ruled out any link between the Ipswich thefts and the break-and-enter in Boonah, Sgt Armit said.

Anyone with information about any of the robberies should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.