Police have made two further arrests following a violent armed home invasion in Beerwah that saw a 75-year-old man struck with a baseball bat before being robbed.
Police allege that on November 28th, 2023, police a group of men broke into a house on Burys Road in Beerwah, armed with baseball bats and a gun.
“They allegedly made threats to two occupants of the home before striking the male victim on the arm with a bat, then stealing a quantity of personal items and fleeing the scene,” Queensland Police said in a statement.
The 75-year-old man suffered injuries to his arm during the alleged attack.
As part of the same investigation, police allege a group of men broke into a Morrison Road, Glasshouse Mountains property, armed with a meat cleaver and firearm on March 21st.
“They allegedly made threats to two occupants of the home before striking the male victim, then stealing personal items and fleeing the scene.”
The 47-year-old man suffered injuries to his right hand during the incident.
Sunshine Coast Detectives, alongside the Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC), commenced Operation Whiskey Cheviot to investigate both incidents.
Police have since charged six people with more than 70 offences in relation to the incidents, including the man who allegedly coordinated the robberies.
Continued investigations led to the arrest of a further two people this week.
On Tuesday, officers located one of the men, a 38-year-old Morayfield man, on a plane about to depart Melbourne Airport on an overseas flight.
Queensland Police worked with Victoria Police to arrest and charge him and have organised to extradite him to the Sunshine Coast today.
He has been charged with five counts of deprivation of liberty, four counts of armed robbery, two counts of enter dwelling and commit indictable offence and one count each of extortion with intent to cause serious personal injury, grievous bodily harm and serious assault.
On Wednesday, police also located a 36-year-old West End man in Brisbane where he was arrested and charged with five counts of deprivation of liberty, four counts of armed robbery (Serious Organised Crime), two counts of enter dwelling and commit indictable offence (Serious Organised Crime), and one count each of extortion with intent to cause serious personal injury (Serious Organised Crime), grievous bodily harm and serious assault.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on July 30th.
As part of a search warrant, police also searched an associated car (pictured) where they located and seized approximately $350,000 in cash, Rolex watches, diamond rings and six handbags from inside the Honda Jazz.
Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch Officer in Charge, Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mick Doogue said these arrests are a significant step in the operation.
“Arresting these two men is a large piece in the puzzle for Operation Whiskey Cheviot,” he said.
“This was a protracted investigation with lots of moving parts, but I’m proud of the dedicated work by detectives.
“This also demonstrates a strong stand against serious organised crime on the Sunshine Coast.”
Investigations are still underway to identify a number of outstanding offenders allegedly involved in the first incident in Beerwah.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
