Townsville police with the support of Taskforce Guardian and the Public Safety Response Team (PSRT) have arrested a further six people, as police continue to target property offenders as part of Operation Victor Romney.
Detectives from Taskforce Guardian and specialist police from PSRT touched down in Townsville yesterday to enhance the police response to a small cohort of high-risk offenders repeatedly committing property crime offences.
Following extensive co-ordinated action, two men and four juveniles allegedly involved in a series of property crime offences were yesterday taken into custody.
A 21-year-old Belgian Gardens man was charged with 26 offences including six counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, five counts of driving without a licence, four counts of enter dwelling, three counts each of enter premises with intent and stealing, two counts of wilful damage and one count each of assault, attempted enter premises and fraud.
A 25-year-old Garbutt man was charged with five counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of attempted enter premises with intent, enter dwelling, wilful damage and obstruct police.
Both men were remanded in custody to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court today.
A 13-year-old Wulguru boy was charged with 51 offences including 13 counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, 11 counts of enter dwelling, six counts of attempted enter dwelling, five counts of enter premises, three counts each of stealing and driving without a licence, two counts each of attempted robbery and attempted enter premises and one count each of robbery, arson and assault. He was refused bail to appear in Townsville Childrens court.
A 17-year-old Kelso male was charged with nine offences including two counts of possessing dangerous drugs, and one count each of enter dwelling, enter premises, failing to take reasonable care (syringe), possessing property suspected of having been used in connection with a drug offence, possessing tainted property, possessing a knife in public and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
A 16-year-old West End male was charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of enter dwelling, possessing dangerous drugs and possessing tainted property.
All young people were refused bail to appear in Townsville Childrens Court today.
A 15-year-old Kelso girl was dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman said police will continue to relentlessly pursue individuals who commit these offences and put innocent community members at risk.
“Keeping the Townsville community safe is our number one priority, and the extra boots on the ground is assisting us in flooding high-risk crime areas to prevent and disrupt offending and specifically target those serious repeat offenders,” Chief Superintendent Hodgman said.
“We know the impact this volume of offending is having on our officers and acknowledge all of their unwavering dedication to respond to incidents and do their utmost to put the safety of our community first.
“The wellbeing of our officers is crucial, we have a number of support options available that we encourage our members to utilise and will continue to work with them to ensure they have the support they need.”
Proactive efforts under Operation Victor Romney are continuing and police urge anyone with information or who may see suspicious behaviour to immediately notify police.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
