Man Charged Over Series of Break-Ins Across Darling Downs

A 43-year-old Oakey man has been charged in connection with a string of break and enter offences targeting businesses across the Darling Downs over the past five weeks.

Between June 14 and July 21, a number of incidents were reported at service stations, a grocery store, a takeaway business, a real estate office, and several car and truck dealerships in areas including Wilsonton, Withcott, Jondaryan, Harristown, and South Toowoomba.

Police allege the man forced entry into the premises during each incident, stealing various items such as cash, credit cards, electronic devices, laptops, groceries, and cigarettes. In one case, on June 29, an ATM was allegedly stolen from a service station on Duke Street in Jondaryan.

The man was arrested in the early hours of July 21 after police responded to a break-in at a takeaway store on Boundary Road in Wilsonton. He was taken into custody as he attempted to flee the scene.

He has been charged with eight counts of entering premises with intent to commit an indictable offence, two counts of wilful damage and attempted fraud, and one count each of attempted break-in, possession of housebreaking tools, possession of dangerous drugs, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, and fraud.

The man has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on August 19.

Police investigations are ongoing.