Detectives from the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch have charged a man with multiple property offences as part of ongoing proactive policing activities under Operation Forge.
It will be alleged the offending began on 19 April, when the man gained access to a home on Tallai Road at Tallai, when the 91-year-old occupant was not home, and stole jewellery, paintings and antiques.
Police will further allege that at around 12am on 18 May, the man gained access to a home on Charlton Court at Southport after damaging a door to gain entry to the property and stealing property including a laptop and identification cards.
Police will further allege that at around 10pm on 19 May, the man entered a home on Pacific Boulevard at Broadbeach Waters and stole a white Volvo XC90. Investigations indicate the stolen Volvo was later used in other property offences across the Gold Coast.
At around 12am on 20 May, police will allege the man attended a home on Wild Duck Drive at Mermaid Waters and gained access to an Audi Q7 parked in the driveway, stealing property including a handbag and identification cards.
It will also be alleged that between 19 and 20 May, the man stole registration plates from a Ford sedan parked on Jefferson Court at Upper Coomera and attached them to a grey Hyundai i20, which was unregistered.
Police will further allege that at around 7pm on 21 May, the man gained entry to a home on Dogwood Drive at Palm Beach and stole keys to a black Hyundai Palisade, which was then stolen from the property.
At around 4pm on 25 May, Rapid Action Patrol officers observed the grey Hyundai i20 parked on Dunsby Drive at Carrara displaying allegedly stolen registration plates.
Police arrested the man nearby and took him into custody.
During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly located identification cards and bank cards linked to multiple burglary offences, vehicle keys, wallets, golf clubs, a hunting knife, a lock-picking set, cannabis and drug utensils.
Police also allegedly established the man was driving while disqualified and that the vehicle was unregistered and uninsured.
Further investigations linked the man to several other property offences across the Gold Coast.
A 19-year-old Upper Coomera man has been charged with four counts of enter dwelling and commit, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of enter premises and commit indictable offence, receiving tainted property, stealing, possessing dangerous drugs, possess utensils or pipes etc, possession of a knife in a public place, driving while disqualified, driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle and using a stolen registration plate.
He is due to reappear at Southport Magistrates Court today, 28 May.
Quote these reference numbers: QP2600871478, QP2600952374, QP2600959033, QP2600960568, QP2600970809, QP2600973332
Operation Yankee Forge is a six-month, district-led, statewide initiative targeting high-harm and high-volume offences, including unlawful use of motor vehicles, unlawful entry and robbery.
The operation will enhance policing activities across Queensland to reduce victim numbers and strengthen community safety.
Police regions, supported by specialist squads, will undertake coordinated disruption activities across the state. Police will target high-harm offenders and work closely with partner agencies to ensure offenders are held accountable. With a strong focus on crime prevention, police will be highly visible as they prevent, disrupt and investigate offending, with particular emphasis on unlawful use, robbery and unlawful entry.
The operation will be locally led and centrally coordinated, leveraging the knowledge and experience of officers who know their communities best.
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 or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
