Townsville Police with assistance from Taskforce Guardian and the Public Safety Response Team have arrested a further 20 people overnight on 74 charges as part of Operation Victor Romney.
57 people have been arrested in relation to 354 offences in total since Operation Victor Romney was established on Friday December 8, in response to a spike in property crime offences in the Townsville area.
At approximately 6.50pm last night, December 13, a tyre deflation device was successfully deployed on a stolen Toyota Camry at Garbutt.
Five occupants were taken into custody by police at the scene.
It will be alleged the vehicle had been stolen from a Deeragun address on the morning of Tuesday December 12, and was involved in a dangerous driving incident where it was allegedly driven towards an ambulance at Thuringowa Central at approximately 1.20am on December 13.
A 16-year-old Burdell girl, 16-year-old Garbutt boy and 11-year-old Garbutt boy have been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Their bail has been refused and all are expected to appear before Townsville Children’s Court today, December 14.
A 16-year-old Kelso girl has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
A 15-year-old Deeragun boy has been charged with 15 offences including three counts each of stealing and receiving tainted property, two counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, enter dwelling with intent and enter premises and commit indictable offence and one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm in company, fraud and unlawful use of a motor vehicle (publishing on social media).
Both are expected to appear before Townsville Children’s Court tomorrow.
Yesterday at approximately 5pm, four teenagers were taken into custody at Kirwan after a stolen vehicle was observed on Nonda Street.
It will be alleged the vehicle had been stolen from North Ward yesterday, December 13.
A 17-year-old Palm Island boy was charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and one count of unlicensed driving.
A 15-year-old Palm Island boy was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
A 16-year-old West End girl was charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
They were all refused police bail, and are due to face Townsville Childrens Court today, December 14.
A 15-year-old Vincent girl was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
She is due to appear in Townsville Childrens Court on December 15.
A further 11 people were arrested, 3 adults and 7 young people, in relation to unrelated property crime offences.
Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman said these results are an example of the commitment of Townsville police to seek justice for victims and keep the community safe.
“To have laid charges relating to 354 offences is a solid outcome so far, but it is just the start and there’s more work to do,” Chief Superintendent Hodgman said.
“Our priority is the safety of the public, and with extra resources in place, we will continue to be relentless in our pursuit of those offenders recklessly endangering the community and emergency services.”
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