Police are investigating if the break-ins across Brisbane and the Gold Coast are linked following the incidents, which took place just hours apart overnight in Mansfield, Redland Bay and Jacobs Well.
The first attempted break-in took place at a tobacconist on Aminya Road in Mansfield around 2.30am, however the group were unable to gain entry.
An hour later, police were called to reports of a break-in at Broadwater Terrace tobacconist at Redland Bay.
The would-be thieves triggered an alarm, which prompted them to flee the scene in a grey sedan.
Then, again at 4.20am, three people carrying machetes forced their way into a convenience store on Kumgum Street at Jacobs Well.
They fled the scene with cigarettes and cash after they were interrupted by the store manager.
Manager Yatin Shori told 9News he managed to scare the group off.
“It was just because I was bare hands. I didn’t have anything and they had like crowbars and stuff,” he said.
“I was a little bit scared of my life, but you know, that’s what you do.
“They took a lot of cash, I think, tobacco cigarettes.”
Police discovered another tobacconist across the road had been broken into while investigating this break-in.
The group remain on the run tonight and officers are asking anyone with information to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.