Coolangatta Skate Shop Owner Defends Business Against Teen Crime Wave

For longtime Coolangatta skateboard shop owner Les Graue, running his business has become a constant battle against crime. Over the past two years, his shop has been targeted by criminals “on average two to three times a week,” with incidents ranging from theft to physical altercations.

Les’s struggles began in March 2024, when he intervened in a violent assault outside his store. A gang of youths was attacking another teenager while onlookers watched. When Les tried to stop the attack, he became the victim, assaulted by the same group of young thugs.

“Grubs,” Les calls them, a term that encapsulates his frustration with the ongoing harassment he faces.

A couple of months after that initial altercation, Les’s fears materialised again when one of the teens returned. The 15-year-old reportedly attempted to instigate a fight, damaging and breaking into the skate shop, taunting Les and threatening another confrontation.

Prepared this time, Les, who has kept a baseball bat in his store for protection since the first attack, confronted the teen outside his shop. What followed was a heated scuffle in the streets of Coolangatta. Les discarded the baseball bat and engaged the teen directly, pursuing him down the street. In the process, he was punched but managed to fight back, landing several blows.

Onlookers at nearby cafés watched the scene unfold. While shocking to visitors, the confrontation likely felt familiar to Coolangatta locals, who have grown accustomed to witnessing such incidents.

“You just don’t know what they’re capable of,” Les said, reflecting on the dangerous nature of these confrontations. Despite his efforts to defend himself and his business, he knows the threat remains.

“He’s going to keep coming back. He’s going to keep coming — I know that,” Les stated, referring to the teenager involved in the latest altercation.

Les’s story highlights the growing concerns about youth crime in Coolangatta and across the Gold Coast. Business owners like Les are left to fend for themselves in the face of recurring incidents, often without sufficient support. The situation underscores the need for greater community and law enforcement collaboration to address the rise in juvenile crime and ensure the safety of residents and business owners alike.

Les’s resilience in the face of constant harassment is a testament to his dedication to his business and community. However, his experience also serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges small business owners face in high-crime areas.

The Gold Coast Torch will continue to follow this developing issue and provide updates as more information becomes available. Residents and business owners are urged to remain vigilant and report any criminal activity to local authorities.