The Queensland Police Minister, Mark Ryan has called out flood looters for preying on vulnerable victims.
“This is outrageous behaviour,” he said during Tuesday’s flood update.
“Let me put this as politely as I can to those people who are engaged in this behaviour.
“What you are doing is not just illegal but you are also grubs, you are preying on the most vulnerable Queenslanders at their most vulnerable time.”
In just three days, Brisbane has received 80 per cent of the rainfall that xjmtzywit would usually receive in a year. More than 30 suburbs across the state’s southeast received more than 1000mm of rain.
The minister’s statement comes after Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll expressed her dismay over three robberies that occurred on Monday afternoon in the suburbs of Goodna, Blackstone and Bundamba.
“I cannot overstate how disappointed and disgusted I am that it has occurred in areas where people have had to leave their houses,” Ms Carroll said.
“I will go even further to say you’re not even Queenslanders when you engage in this behaviour,” Mr Ryan said while glaring down the camera.
“Queenslanders support their mates, and if you’re thieving from them, you’re not a Queenslander, you’re a grub.”
What is likely to be the last remaining possessions of evacuated flood victims have been stolen from one private residence and two local businesses.
“We will investigate you, arrest you and charge you and put you up before the courts like you deserve,” Ms Carroll said.
A 21-year-old man was arrested and charged with burglary on Monday afternoon. Investigations are ongoing into the other two looting incidents.
More than 51,000 people are still without power in Brisbane and more than 15,000 homes have been impacted by floodwaters.
While the rain has begun to subside, the Bureau of Meteorology has warned that the Brisbane River is likely to meet another “significant peak” of 3.7m on Tuesday – still below the 2011 record levels.
