A Sumner couple has been left traumatised after a violent confrontation with a group of armed youths outside their motorcycle shop in the early hours of Monday morning.
Tony Van Schalkwyk, owner of Hansky Motorcycles on Bullockhead Street, was hospitalised with extensive bruising across his body following the attack, which occurred around 2.30am on 7 October.
His partner, Skye Whyte, told reporters the couple had been working late and were sleeping inside their business premises when she spotted a group wearing masks and hoods carrying metal poles as they entered the vacant car park adjacent to their property.
Ms Whyte said she could hear the group laughing before she opened a window and asked them to leave. The situation quickly escalated, with the group allegedly hurling verbal abuse at her and damaging her vehicle.
When Mr Van Schalkwyk went outside to intervene, he was set upon by approximately seven people who allegedly beat him with metal poles and their fists, leaving him with injuries across his body and face.
Ms Whyte grabbed a pair of bolt cutters and rushed downstairs, managing to frighten the group away. However, the incident has left the couple shaken and fearful for their business.
“We have sunk everything into this business,” Ms Whyte said. “We’re staying here again tonight. I’m worried they’re going to come back and take a bike or burn the place down. We would be left with nothing.”
The business owner expressed frustration with what she described as ongoing targeting of small businesses in the area, saying local operators are “fed up” with repeated incidents.
Ms Whyte also revealed that responding police advised the couple they shouldn’t have confronted the group, despite the attack occurring on their own property.
Queensland Police have confirmed investigations are ongoing and are appealing for anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage from the vicinity of Spine and Neon streets between 1.30am and 3am on Monday morning to come forward.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about business security in the Sumner area, with the couple now sleeping on-site to protect their livelihood.
Published 7-October-2025