Mackay Police have charged 15 people with 76 charges in a property crime crackdown over two weeks.
Throughout this period, 10 adults were charged with 52 offences, and five juveniles were charged with 24 offences relating to unlawful use, burglary, possessing dangerous drugs, and other offences.
At approximately 9am on 4 June, police received reports of a stolen black Hyundai Tucson and two men allegedly attempting to break into properties in the Beaconsfield area.
The vehicle was located abandoned at Glenella where Mackay Dog Squad tracked the offenders from the vehicle to a nearby residence and arrested two men a short time later.
A 29-year-old Andergrove man was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, burglary, obstruct police, and possession of dangerous drugs (methamphetamine).
He has been remanded in custody and due to reappear before Mackay Magistrates Court on 9 June.
A 19-year-old South Mackay man has been charged with eight counts of burglary, five counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of enter premises, and one count each of unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, stealing, evade police, possessing dangerous drugs, and obstruct police.
He has been remanded in custody and due to reappear before Mackay Magistrates Court on 29 June.
Mackay Whitsunday District Superintendent Dean Cavanagh said Mackay Police are committed to keeping the community safe from property crime.
“Our officers are dedicated to disrupting and preventing property crime and holding perpetrators to account,” said Superintendent Cavanagh.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their homes and community, and these offences will not be tolerated.”
“Information from the public has played an important role in helping us investigate and disrupt these crimes, and we continue to urge the community to report all suspicious behaviour to police.”
Since February 27, Mackay Whitsunday District officers have charged 123 people with 243 charges as part of Operation Forge, including 97 adults with 164 offences, and 26 juveniles with 79 offences relating to unlawful entry, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and robbery.
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.
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.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
