Man charged with multiple offences, Cairns: A 33-year-old Cairns man was charged last night following a string of offences allegedly committed across the Bayview and Earlville areas yesterday afternoon.
The alleged incidents took place around 4.30pm when the man entered the yard of a Karwin Street residence and allegedly picked up a crow bar and threatened the elderly male resident.
It will be further alleged he dropped the crow bar and picked up a garden fork, repeating his threats to the man before running off.
A short time later, the man allegedly climbed on to the roof of a DeJarlais Street house before jumping onto the roof of an attached patio area, crashing through the roof and fleeing.
It is then alleged the man gained entry to another home on DeJarlais Street and threatened two women with the garden fork before damaging furniture. One woman managed to get him out of the house where he fled after allegedly damaging outdoor furniture.
It is further alleged he entered two more properties in Pitt Street, climbing on to the roof of one of the houses and threatened the occupants, before making his way to a neighbouring residence where he tore palings off a fence before fleeing on foot.
A police dog squad tracked the man to an address in Barnes Street where he was taken into custody at about 5:15pm.
None of the victims were known to the man and no one suffered any injuries.
It will be further alleged that prior to these incidents, the man had entered a Bayview Heights residence of a woman who was known to him, and stole her car.
The vehicle was subsequently returned to the address in a damaged condition sometime yesterday, prior to the man attending the Karwin Street residence, where the alleged incidents took place.
The 33-year-old man was charged with a total of 11 offences comprising three counts each of assault and wilful damage, two counts of burglary, and single counts of stealing, trespass and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
The man is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court later this morning.
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You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.