Townsville police have charged 19 people with 42 offences following an operation targeting property crime on Wednesday, 21 October.
The high-visibility operation is designed to detect and disrupt stolen vehicles, burglary and stealing offences in hotspot areas.
Officers also conducted 43 roadside breath tests, issued 14 traffic infringement notices, and located one high-risk missing person.
A silver Mitsubishi ASX was stolen from a South Vickers Road, Condon address early on 21 October.
POLAIR tracked the vehicle to Charles Street in Vincent, where multiple people fled on foot.
Police Dog Blitz tracked a 17-year-old Kelso girl to a nearby property, where police arrested her.
She was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
She was refused police bail and is next expected to appear in the Townsville Childrens Court on 27 October.
Investigations into others involved are ongoing.
A red Nissan X-Trail and a grey Mercedes-Benz A200 were stolen from Sunhaven Boulevard, Burdell address early on 21 October.
Following the successful deployment of a tyre deflation device on the X-Trail in Rassmussen just before 2am, the vehicle was located nearby, and the Mercedes-Benz was abandoned on Hammond Way in Kelso around 6.20am.
It will be alleged a 16-year-old Kelso boy and a 15-year-old Kelso boy fled from the X-Trail, before they were arrested a short time later.
The 16-year-old boy was charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
He was refused police bail and is expected to next appear in the Townsville Childrens Court on 4 November.
The 15-year-old boy was dealt with under provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
Around 2.20am on Thursday, 22 October, a 31-year-old Rasmussen woman allegedly driving a white Holden Commodore evaded police on Beck Drive in Condon.
POLAIR tracked the vehicle before it was abandoned on Bowen Road in Rosslea, and the woman fled before police arrested her.
She was charged with six offences including one count each of using, or permitting use of, vehicle for which a number plate attached given granted for another vehicle, evasion offence at night, driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence, vehicles used on roads must be registered, drive uninsured vehicle, and possessing dangerous drugs.
She is due to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on 5 November.
Since 27 February 2026, Townsville officers have charged 607 offenders with 1,747 offences as a part of the locally led statewide Operation Yankee Forge, disrupting high-harm, high-volume offending.
This includes 376 adults charged with 788 offences and 231 juvenile offenders charged with 959 offences.
Northern Patrol Group Inspector Jason Brosnan said targeting property crime offenders and serious repeat offenders remains a priority for local police.
“The offenders causing the most harm to the community, including those driving dangerously in stolen cars on our roads, will always be targeted by significant police resourcing,” Inspector Brosnan said.
“Our officers do an excellent job in coordinating units to deploy tactical strategies, ensuring offenders are brought into custody quickly, and members of the public are safe.
“Anyone who thinks they can steal a car or property without consequence can expect police to find them and put them before a magistrate.”
Quote these reference numbers: QP2601619698, QP2602076520, QP2602076996, QP2602083856
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.
