Property charges, Smithfield: A 17-year-old Trinity Park man was charged by Smithfield police yesterday afternoon following investigations into a number of vehicle thefts and thefts of property from vehicles.
He was charged with two counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle as well as entering premises and stealing, and is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on July 2.
The offences allegedly relate to the theft of a sedan from a Manoora caravan park on June 7, the theft of a utility from an Anderson Street Premises on June 18, as well as the unlawful entry and theft of property from vehicles at Trinity Park and Smithfield on June 15 and 18.
“People just leave their doors open for us to go in”: This frank admission from a 16-year-old boy charged with nine alleged property and vehicle offences yesterday left detectives lamenting the casual approach to home security that is all too prevalent across our region.
Cairns Property Crime Unit officers arrested and charged the Bungalow boy yesterday morning following investigations into a number of alleged burglary and vehicle thefts at Edmonton, Mooroobool, Kewarra Beach and Clifton Beach.
The offences are alleged to have occurred between February 14 and June 6 and resulted in the boy being charged with five counts of burglary and four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
He will be dealt with under the provisions of The Youth Justice Act 1992.
Police would like to remind the community to lock the doors and windows of their homes and vehicles even if they are inside at the time or simply out in the yard. Most would-be thieves are opportunistic and will steer clear of a car or a home that is secured.
Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.
For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.