Far North police are continuing to target high-harm property offenders, charging 790 people with 2,241 offences since 27 February.
Operation Yankee Forge launched in February, targeting unlawful use of a motor vehicle, robbery and unlawful entry.
Of the 790 people charged, 359 young people were charged with 1,429 offences, and 431 adults were charged with 812 offences.
On 10 September, police arrested a 16-year-old Mooroobool boy at a McEwen Street home, after he allegedly concealed himself inside a fold out couch.
It will be alleged he was involved with the theft of a black and white Kia Seltos from an Everglade Rise property on 7 September.
He was charged with three counts of attempted enter dwelling with intent at night, one count each of enter dwelling and commit, unlawful use of motor vehicle – publish on social media advertise involvement, attempted enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence, and obstruct police officer.
He was remanded in custody to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court on 6 October.
On 20 September, police were called following reports a group of people broke into a Green Island resort, before fleeing in a dinghy.
Two 16-year-old Yarrabah boys were arrested around 2.30am in a vehicle on Point Road.
One of the boys was charged with trespass, enter premises and commit indictable offence, receiving tainted property, driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence.
He is due to appear in the Yarrabah Childrens Court on 30 September.
The other boy was charged with two counts of enter dwelling and commit and one count of enter premises and commit indictable offence.
He is due to appear in the Yarrabah Childrens Court at a later date.
On 21 September, officers from the Cairns Property Crime Squad and Tactical Crime Squad arrested two people in relation to the theft of a white Toyota Corolla from a Buchan Street address earlier that morning.
POLAIR tracked the vehicle to a Paramatta Park address and located a 20-year-old Holloways Beach man, a 17-year-old Gordonvale boy and a 15-year-old Manoora boy inside a unit.
A 16-year-old Bungalow boy was arrested later that evening in Bungalow.
The 20-year-old man was charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and one count each of obstruct police, receive tainted property, possess dangerous drugs, and driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence.
The 17-year-old Gordonvale boy was charged with five counts of attempted enter dwelling and commit, and two counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, enter dwelling and commit, and attempted enter premises with intent to commit.
The 16-year-old Bungalow boy was charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and one count each of enter dwelling and commit, attempted enter dwelling with intent at night, and attempted stealing.
The 15-year-old Manoora boy was charged with two counts of attempted enter dwelling with intent at night, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and enter dwelling and commit.
All three teenagers were refused bail to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court on 22 September.
Officer in Charge of the Cairns Property Crime Unit Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Richard Curtis said police are continuing to disrupt stolen vehicles and apprehend offenders that are causing harm to the community.
“We have plain clothes officers, Tactical Crime Squad, General Duties police and specialist officers working 24/7 to disrupt these vehicles and the offenders driving them dangerously around Cairns,” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Curtis said.
“While we are seeing positive downturns in crime, we know the impact even one stolen car or break in can have on a family.
“Anyone who thinks they can steal a car or property without consequence can expect police to find them and put them before a magistrate.”
Operation Yankee Forge is a 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.
