Police have charged a 19-year-old Koongal man with 18 property-related offences following a number of break and enter incidents across Rockhampton and Yeppoon in the past week.
Around 6.17am on 7 July, the man allegedly broke into a business on Yaamba Road in Norman Gardens, Rockhampton.
Police will allege the man and another unknown man arrived in a red Ford Focus with false plates, before smashing a glass window to gain entry.
The man caused minor damage inside and stole a small amount of cash before fleeing the area in the Ford Focus.
It will be further alleged between 12am and 1.10am on 8 July, the 19-year-old man entered seven businesses on James Street, and smashed several glass doors and windows, stealing a quantity of cash from various premises before leaving the scene.
No one was present inside the businesses at the time of the incidents.
On 9 July, detectives from Rockhampton’s Property Crime Unit and Tactical Crime Squad arrested the 19-year-old man.
He has been charged with five counts each of enter premises and commit, and enter premises with intent, two counts of fraud, and one count each of obstruct police, enter dwelling and commit, attempted enter dwelling with intent, attempted enter premises with intent, possessing dangerous drugs (methylamphetamine), and possessing drug utensils.
The man is due to appear before Rockhampton Magistrates Court today, 10 July.
Operation Yankee Forge is a six-month, district-led, statewide initiative targeting high-harm and high-volume offences, including unlawful use of motor vehicles, unlawful entry and robbery.
The operation will enhance policing activities across Queensland to reduce victim numbers and strengthen community safety.
Police regions, supported by specialist squads, will undertake coordinated disruption activities across the state. Police will target high-harm offenders and work closely with partner agencies to ensure offenders are held accountable. With a strong focus on crime prevention, police will be highly visible as they prevent, disrupt and investigate offending, with particular emphasis on unlawful use, robbery and unlawful entry.
The operation will be locally led and centrally coordinated, leveraging the knowledge and experience of officers who know their communities best.
