Police have arrested a further two men, on 28 charges, under Operation Whiskey Cheviot, which was established last year to investigate two alleged violent robberies in Beerwah and the Glasshouse Mountains.
On November 28, 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 before striking a 75-year-old male on the arm with a bat, then stealing personal items and fleeing the scene.
On March 21, 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 before striking a 46-year-old male on the hand, then stealing personal items and fleeing the scene.
Sunshine Coast detectives, alongside the Crime and Corruption Commission, then started Operation Whiskey Cheviot.
From November to May, 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 arrests of a further two people this week.
On Tuesday, police located 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 on Friday.
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 Tuesday.
As part of a search warrant, police also searched an associated car, where they located and seized about $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 the arrests were 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.
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