Brisbane crime Archives

Toowong Hit Twice in Alleged Slingshot Attack Spree Across Brisbane

Toowong has emerged as a key location in a series of alleged drive-by slingshot attacks after two separate incidents in the suburb left members of the public injured and led to charges against four men.

A Paddington woman was among four people allegedly injured during a series of drive-by slingshot attacks across Brisbane’s western suburbs, prompting Queensland Police to appeal for any additional victims to come forward.

Police allege a group of four men used homemade slingshots and pocket-shot style devices to fire metal objects from a moving vehicle at members of the public on multiple nights between May 27 and May 31.

Four People Reported Injured Across Western Brisbane

According to Queensland Police Service, a 22-year-old woman was struck on the forehead in Paddington on May 27. On the same day, a 36-year-old woman was allegedly struck on the hand in Toowong.

Further incidents were reported on May 31, when a 53-year-old man was allegedly struck in the back in Toowong and a 64-year-old woman was allegedly struck in the jaw in St Lucia.

Police believe additional incidents may have occurred during the same period.

Vehicle Stopped in Chapel Hill

Police intercepted a Hyundai i30 on Chapel Hill Road shortly after 11:00 p.m. on May 31.

Investigators allege they located two handmade slingshots, two pocket-shot style devices and a set of knuckle dusters inside the vehicle.

Two men were detained at the scene.

Search Warrants Lead to Further Charges

Queensland Police later executed search warrants at properties in Redbank Plains and Forest Lake.

Police allege officers located items connected to the assaults, along with cannabis and drug utensils.

Three 19-year-old men and one 20-year-old man have since been charged with a range of offences, including assault occasioning bodily harm, serious assault of a person over 60, common assault and discharging a weapon in a public place.

One of the accused was remanded in custody while the remaining three were granted bail.

Police Appeal for More Witnesses

Investigators say enquiries are continuing and are urging anyone who may have been struck by an object thrown from a vehicle in Paddington, Toowong, St Lucia or Chapel Hill to contact police.

All four accused are expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court later this June.

Published 11-June-2026

Baker Interrupts Alleged Break-Ins At Toowong Shopping Complex

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

A baker working before dawn at Toowong French Patisserie interrupted alleged break-ins at the Cat & Fiddle Markets complex in Toowong, where several shopfronts were smashed and items including cash, jewellery and shampoo were stolen.

Baker Interrupts Toowong Break-Ins

A baker working at Toowong French Patisserie interrupted an alleged early-morning break-in spree at the Cat & Fiddle Markets complex on Morley Street after hearing glass smashing nearby.

The incident happened shortly before 2am on Monday, 27 April and involved three people allegedly breaking into a clothing boutique, a hair salon and a café. Shopfront windows were smashed as the group allegedly moved through the business strip.

The baker was working inside the patisserie when he heard the noise from the nearby shops. The break-ins were interrupted after the group became aware of him, and police were called. The patisserie was not damaged.

Smashed Glass Left Across Morley Street Businesses

Several Toowong businesses were left with broken glass and damage after the alleged break-ins.

At Timbuctoo, a clothing boutique in the complex, cash and European jewellery were allegedly stolen. Some jewellery was later found outside in the car park area.

Sassi Hairdressing, located next to the boutique, was also targeted. Shampoo was allegedly taken from the salon before the group moved on to a nearby café.

A cash register was also allegedly carried out of the third shop during the incident.

Cat & Fiddle Markets — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Small Businesses Confront Overnight Damage

The alleged break-ins left the affected business owners facing smashed windows, stolen goods and the disruption of arriving to damaged shopfronts.

The clothing boutique and hair salon were among the businesses visibly affected at the complex, while the café was also broken into. The incident added a difficult start to the day for small operators at the Toowong business strip.

The baker who interrupted the incident had worked at Toowong French Patisserie for more than 20 years. His workplace was not damaged during the alleged break-ins.

Police Continue To Investigate

Police are continuing to investigate the Toowong break-ins.

No arrests or charges have been reported so far. Inquiries remain ongoing into the incident at the Cat & Fiddle Markets complex.

Published 28-Apr-2026

No Answers in Unsolved Lesley Trotter Case in Toowong

Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook

Lesley Trotter, a 78-year-old retired school teacher known for her active lifestyle and dedication to recycling, disappeared from her Toowong home in March 2023. The coroner ruled her deceased, but the cause of death remains undetermined.

Ms Trotter last contacted her family on 27 March 2023. Her brother found her Maryvale Street unit unlocked the following day, with her phone, wallet, and car left behind. Concerned, he reported her missing, prompting an immediate police search.

Lesley Trotter case remains unsolved — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Investigation and Theories

Authorities found traces of blood near bins outside her unit. They determined that her body was inside a wheelie bin collected by a BCC rubbish truck from Clayton Lane on 28 March 2023. Despite an extensive search of over 3,000 tonnes of waste at landfill sites in Swanbank and Rochedale, her remains were never recovered.

Police considered three possibilities:

A medical episode while sorting through bins.
Accidental misadventure.
Foul play, potentially linked to tensions with neighbours over her recycling habits.

Ms Trotter was known for meticulously checking bins to ensure recyclables were correctly sorted. While some neighbours appreciated her efforts, others found her behaviour intrusive. Police acknowledged possible tensions but found no direct evidence linking disputes to her disappearance.

Extensive Search Yields No Answers

The search for Ms Trotter’s body was one of Queensland’s largest waste facility operations, involving the Australian Defence Force. Investigators quarantined waste sites and sifted through rubbish, finding various “items of interest,” but none linked to her. Decomposing waste hindered recovery efforts, and the search was called off.

Lesley Trotter Toowong case — *Photo Credit: QPS/Facebook*

Ongoing Investigation and Appeal for Information

The case remains open. Queensland Police urge anyone with relevant information, CCTV footage, or dashcam recordings from 28 March 2023 to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Even minor details may be crucial in determining how Ms Trotter’s body ended up in the bin and whether foul play was involved.

Published 27-Feb-2025