Police have charged 15 people with 45 offences following a two-day operation involving the Townsville helicopter.
Officers from the Cairns Property Crime Squad, Tactical Crime Squad, Domestic Violence High Risk Team, and Child Protection and Investigation Unit were assisted by Townsville's aerial asset on May 2 and 3, to target high-risk offenders.
Around 1pm on May 3, police were called to reports of a 22-year-old Parramatta Park man allegedly threatening members of the public with a bow and arrow on Martyn Street.
The aerial asset located the male at a nearby unit complex where officers arrested him and seized the weapon.
He was charged with one count of public nuisance and is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on May 27.
On May 3, the helicopter located an allegedly stolen vehicle driving on Sheridan Street.
Officers on the ground were directed to the vehicle's location and arrested a 33-year-old Aeroglen man.
Police allegedly located several stolen items in the vehicle and a flick knife.
The man was charged with 11 offences including three counts of enter premises and commit, two counts of receiving tainted property, and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a knife in a public place, possess property suspected of having been used in connection with the commission of a drug offence, driving unlicensed, and breach of a bail condition.
He was denied bail and was scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on May 4.
A 28-year-old Yarrabah man allegedly wanted for domestic violence offences was arrested on May 3.
It will be alleged the helicopter tracked the man's vehicle to Cairns North, where he ran from Tactical Crime Squad officers.
He was charged with one count each of contravention of a domestic violence order, choking suffocation (domestic violence offence), assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence offence), and wilful damage (domestic violence offence).
He was refused bail and was scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on May 4.
Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said the helicopter was a valuable asset during the two-day operation.
"This capability helped deliver enhanced situational awareness for crews on the ground and provided high quality video evidence to assist with prosecuting offenders," Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said.
"Our frontline police do an incredible job each day and having this additional aerial asset is a welcome support.
"We are grateful for the use of the Townsville aerial asset and cooperation from the Townsville District.
"Our first priority will always be community safety, and having eyes in the sky bolstered the determined efforts of police to target serious offenders and hold them accountable."
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic and family violence, you should report it to police.
Support and counselling is available from the following agencies:
- DVConnect Womensline: 1800 811 811
- DVConnect Mensline: 1800 600 636
- 1800 RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- 13YARN: 13 92 76
More information is also available from the Queensland Government Domestic and Family Violence portal.
