>
An 18-year-old girl, among three charged in a ‘terrifying’ series of alleged fast-food robberies, as they are accused of robbing two Hungry Jacks and a McDonald’s
- Queensland woman, 18, denied bail
- She was part of a series of alleged fast food robberies
- Two male co-defendants must also appear in court
A Queensland woman accused of involvement in a series of armed robberies that “terrorized” fast food staff has been denied bail.
Denika Dianne Appleton, 18, of Ellen Grove, was arrested for the alleged robbery of four outlets in Ipswich and the south side of Brisbane on January 15 and 16 in which staff were threatened with knives and a handgun. fire.
Ms Appleton, along with two male co-defendants, allegedly demanded cash and valuables from both staff and customers before fleeing the outlets, which included at least two Hungry Jack stores, in stolen vehicles. .
Police executed simultaneous search warrants in Ellen Grove and Inala in south-west Brisbane, arresting Ms Appleton and her two co-defendants early Sunday morning.
Denika Dianne Appleton, 18, of Ellen Grove, was arrested in the alleged robbery of four retail outlets in Ipswich and the south side of Brisbane on January 15 and 16 (images of one of the alleged robberies pictured)
A series of suspected armed robberies in Ipswich and the south side of Brisbane in January terrified fast food staff.
Ms Appleton faced Brisbane Arrest Court via video on Monday charged with 10 counts of armed robbery, 22 counts of imprisonment, three counts of trespassing and two counts of unlawful use. of a motor vehicle.
The co-defendants, a 29-year-old man from Mansfield and a 21-year-old man from Ellen Grove, were also due to appear in court on Monday.
The police prosecutor opposed granting Ms Appleton bail and said she would have to show cause for her release given the seriousness of the charges.
The prosecutor said that Ms Appleton had been charged with entering a Hungry Jack outlet in Springfield, east of Ipswich, at 9:30pm on January 15, while her two co-defendants had a knife and a black gun
“She was an active participant, she was armed with a large brown knife,” the prosecutor said.
Officers allegedly found items identified on CCTV footage of the robberies at the address where Ms Appleton was arrested, including a Spider-Man mask, blue walkie-talkies, a gold-colored Holden Commodore and another allegedly stolen vehicle, said the prosecutor.
‘The show’s cause for bail has not been made. These were robberies that terrified a number of young workers,’ the prosecutor said.
Magistrate Julián Noud said it was “alleged that (the three co-defendants) forced staff members to kneel on the floor” during the alleged robberies.
Ms. Appleton’s attorney said her client had no criminal record as an adult or a juvenile.
‘She was employed but had to quit recently due to travel difficulties. She was going to start a government job at a call center and was expecting a call today,” the lawyer said.
She’s willing to show up regularly enough for bail.
Magistrate Julian Noud said Ms Appleton’s clean record largely worked in her favour, but she also faced a strong case for prosecution for alleged “very serious” offences.
“It is alleged that (the three co-defendants) forced staff members to kneel on the floor and the male assailant with the firearm forced two customers to jump on the counter and kneel as well,” he said.
It is alleged that all of the victims were forced to place property items and phones in the bank, and eventually all of the assailants left the store in a stolen Ford utility vehicle.
‘There is a high risk that (Mrs Appleton) will not appear or commit crimes on bail. Bail is denied.
Ms. Appleton’s case was adjourned until February 27.