Search & rescue operations, Cairns: Emergency services were kept busy yesterday afternoon with marine search and rescue operations conducted east of Cairns.
Cairns Water Police received information at about 2.40pm in relation to a vessel in distress near Michelmas Cay approximately 20km east of Cairns. A search and rescue response was put in place and the rescue helicopter was deployed. About 15 minutes later a second request for assistance was received from another small vessel in the area.
Search crews subsequently located a disabled six metre vessel with five persons on board. Crews then located a second four metre craft with three occupants that had also suffered mechanical failure.
The Cairns Coastguard vessel was directed to each vessel’s location and they were towed back to Cairns last night. No injuries were reported by any of the eight people on board.
Second man charged over equipment Mt Garnet theft: Cairns detectives charged a yesterday 30-year-old Mt Garnet man in relation to the alleged theft of an Avant articulated loader from a digger from a Mount Garnet property in September last year.
He was charged with one count of stealing a vehicle and is due to appear at the CairnsMagistrates Court on January 20, 2014.
A 50-year-old East Trinity man was charged on Tuesday in relation to the same incident.
Stealing charge, Manunda: A 19-year-old Manunda man has been charged following investigations into the theft of cash from a James Street business on December 4.
Police will allege that the man entered the store and stole money from the cash register whilst the staff member was distracted. He then fled on foot after being confronted by a staff member.
The man was charged with entering a premise and committing an indictable offence and also obstructing a police officer, and is scheduled to appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on December 20.
Police would like to thank numerous members of the public who provided assistance to police on the day of the incident which ultimately led to the identification of the offender.
Man charged over credit card fraud: Detectives charged a 39-year-old Manunda man yesterday afternoon as part of investigations into the alleged fraudulent use of a stolen credit card.
It will be alleged that the card was stolen from a Gordonvale residence in August, and that the man and a woman known to him subsequently used it to conduct multiple purchases from North Cairns to Edmonton between October 22 and November 6.
The man was charged with 50 counts of fraud and is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court 0n January 9 2014.
A 28-year-old Manunda woman was arrested and charged on Saturday afternoon in relation to the same incidents.
Assault charges, Cairns: Detectives have charged a 14-year-old Machans Beach boy following an incident at a North Cairns residence last night.
Officers were called to the Rutherford Street address at around 8.30pm and took the boy into custody after he allegedly assaulted a 15-year-old girl. She sustained swelling and contusions to the arm and head and was transported to the Cairns hospital for treatment.
The boy was charged with one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm and assault occasioning bodily harm whilst armed. He will be dealt with under the provisions of The Youth Justice Act 1992.
Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.
Crime Stoppers is a charitable 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.