Redfield Plains: Breakthrough in alleged fatal stabbing of retired gran at the shops as two more arrests are made – as police announce motive

Two more teenage boys have been arrested in relation to the alleged stabbing murder of a 70-year-old grandmother.

Vyleen White was in the carpark at Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre, in south-west Brisbane, with her six-year-old granddaughter at 6.10pm on Saturday when she was allegedly attacked by a stranger.

The young girl screamed as the alleged knifeman escaped in Ms White’s blue 2009 Hyundai Getz.

Police released security footage of the alleged attackers standing by the vehicle on a street in nearby Springfield Lakes and asked members of the public to contact authorities if they saw them.

A 15-year-old male from Ripley handed himself into Ipswich Police Station on Sunday night.

During a press conference on Monday afternoon, Detective superintendent Heath McQueen said two more arrested had been made as a result of information provided to police by members of the community.

When asked what the motive was, he said: ‘Sadly, the motive was to steal a Hyundai Getz.’

Vyleen White was in the underground carpark at Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre on Saturday, with her six-year-old granddaughter

Police have released CCTV of four males they believe can assist with their inquiries (pictured). One has been arrested

Police have released CCTV of four males they believe can assist with their inquiries (pictured). One has been arrested

‘We have identified two more people in that CCTV and they are in custody and assisting us with our inquiries,’ he said.

‘We do know who the fourth person in that car is.’ 

The 15-year-old was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and was denied bail at Ipswich Children’s Court on Monday.

Supt McQueen said the teenager could be hit with more charges as the investigation continues. 

‘I am confident we will apprehend and we will ultimately charge someone with the murder of a 70-year-old grandmother,’ he said.

He said the alleged attack was not gang-related but that police would investigate whether they were involved with gangs.

Supt McQueen also said there were more people of interest who may have been involved.

Detective superintendent Heath McQueen (pictured on Monday) said two more arrested had been made

Detective superintendent Heath McQueen (pictured on Monday) said two more arrested had been made

Locals placed flowers at the scene where Ms White was allegedly murdered at the shopping centre (pictured)

Locals placed flowers at the scene where Ms White was allegedly murdered at the shopping centre (pictured)

Earlier on Monday, a woman told Daily Mail Australia she saw ‘kids’ park the blue Hyundai Getz on a residential street at about 6.30pm on Saturday – 20 minutes after the alleged attack.

They got out of the vehicle and starting laughing and joking.

She said: ‘On the Sunday morning, I noticed the car still there with the windows down and I thought it was a bit weird.

‘Then I saw on the news that they were looking for a Hyundai Getz so we called the police.’

Katherine Lameree, a close family friend, said Ms White’s granddaughter will likely have to deal with the trauma for the rest of her life.

‘She’s doing as well as a six-year-old girl can be, given the circumstances, but children react differently to trauma than adults because they don’t have coping mechanisms,’ she said.

‘It’s probably going to impact her for life.’ 

Ms Lameree said the grandmother was close with all her grandchildren and was very involved in their lives.

She set up a GoFundMe campaign to help for Ms White’s family cover the funeral costs.

Pictured: Locals laying tributes at the scene where a 70-year-old grandmother was allegedly stabbed to death

Pictured: Locals laying tributes at the scene where a 70-year-old grandmother was allegedly stabbed to death

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