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ATM Jihad:
Housam El-Afchal and wife Alison on ATM blast charge
By Greg Stolz and Robyn Ironsid/The Australian
SINGED banknotes were found on a Sydney couple charged with blowing up a Brisbane ATM at the weekend, a court has been told.
The burnt notes were among more than $40,000 allegedly found with the couple when they were arrested at a Surfers Paradise resort on Monday as they prepared to fly back to NSW with their two children.
Police yesterday opposed bail, saying they were investigating the pair over 26 similar ATM robberies in NSW and Victoria.
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Housam El-Afchal and his wife Alison, both 30, faced Southport Magistrate’s Court charged with attempting to destroy property by explosives, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and breaking and entering.
Police allege the El-Afchals were involved in a “gas attack” robbery that netted $118,000 from a Bank of Queensland ATM at Geebung early last Saturday morning.
A small hole was drilled into the ATM and oxy-acetylene gas pumped in before being ignited with a battery charger, police said in documents.
The explosion blew apart the ATM and damaged the bank branch, police said.
Police also accused the Afchals of being involved in the theft of oxy-acetylene equipment and vehicles used in the robbery.
Explosion fragments were also allegedly found in a car hired by Alison El-Afchal, along with more than $34,000.
The court was told the couple was on bail in NSW for alleged car re-birthing offences.
Defence lawyer Bill Potts expressed outrage that Queensland police had played the race card in opposing bail for the couple, by raising their strong links to the Lebanese community and he urged magistrate Ron Kilner to ignore that.
He said the police contention they were investigating similar ATM robberies interstate was also irrelevant.
The El-Afchals had a two-year-old daughter and a five-month-old son, Mr Potts said.
Mr Kilner agreed to release Alison El-Afchal on $50,000 bail on condition she report five days a week to police, surrender her passport and not approach international departure points.
But he refused bail for Housam El-Afchal, saying he was an unacceptable risk of committing further offences.
Outside court, Chief Superintendent Mike Condon, from the State Crime Operations Command, said more arrests were expected – in Queensland and interstate – as officers here continue to work with the NSW-based Strikeforce Piccadilly set up to investigate 24 ATM robberies in Sydney.
“The inquiries . . . suggest that (the robbers) are organised,” he said.
He credited an eagle-eyed off-duty officer for the arrest of the El-Afchals.
What just two people involved – bullshit.
What only one rocket launcher? They really must have been trying to ask nicely. I watched a movie “Taken”, the technique used on the slaver seemed the more appropriate conversation starter.
This may sound a bit harsh until one ends up in a bus.
* was on bail in NSW for alleged car re-birthing offences.
Hadn’t surrendered the passports at the time, and free to continue their crime spree. Someone
was taking good care of his assets.
“Defence lawyer Bill Potts expressed outrage that Queensland police had played the race card in opposing bail for the couple, by raising their strong links to the Lebanese community.”
I’m also outraged. Nothing to do with race – how many Lebanese Christians are involved in car re-birthing and blowing up banks?
Everything to do with religion (if Islam can be called a religion.)
cassandra Says:
I’m also outraged. Nothing to do with race – how many Lebanese Christians are involved in car re-birthing and blowing up banks?
HAHAHA, obviously at least one, as the girl Alison is one, or at least was, until she met her law abiding husband. Filthy mud loving mole!