Police have arrested a further two men on 28 charges under Operation Whiskey Cheviot, established to investigate two violent robberies in Beerwah and the Glasshouse Mountains.
On November 28, 2023, police allege a group of men broke into a house on Burys Road, Beerwah while 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.
The 75-year-old man suffered injuries to his arm during the incident.
Months later, on March 21, 2024, police allege a group of men broke into a Morrison Road, Glasshouse Mountains property, armed with a meat cleaver and firearm.
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), then commence Operation Whiskey Cheviot.
Previously, from November 2023 to May 2024, police charged six people with more than 70 offences in relation to the incidents, including the man who allegedly coordinated the robberies.
Police continued the extensive investigation which led to the arrest of a further two people this week.
On Tuesday, July 23, police 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 July 24, 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 30.
As part of a search warrant, police also searched an associated car 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," Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Doogue 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.
Earlier: https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/news/2024/05/09/operation-whiskey-cheviot-sunshine-coast/
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
