Police have charged 17 people with 89 property crime offences as part of Operation Diamantina.
The property crime operation which commenced on 8 October has seen police intensify efforts towards property offending, including burglary, stealing, unlawful use of motor vehicles, unlawful weapons, and dangerous drugs.
Around 5.30am on 16 October, Mackay police responded to reports of a man allegedly siphoning approximately 1,600 litres of diesel from a cane farm at Te Kowai.
Officers from Mackay's Property Crime Task Force, Dog Squad, Tactical Crime Squad and Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) attended the area and arrested a 30-year-old man a short time later in nearby cane fields.
The 30-year-old man from East Mackay was subsequently charged with eleven offences, including enter premises and commit indictable offence, possess utensils, obstruct police officer, possession of implements used in the commission of an offence, receiving tainted property, stealing, and vehicle-related offences.
He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear before Mackay Magistrates Court on 18 November.
Between 9 and 10 October, an offender allegedly entered the residence of an 80-year-old woman at Andergrove.
The resident was not at home when the incident occurred.
Following targeted investigative enquiries, police arrested a 27-year-old woman and recovered several stolen items, including jewellery and other personal belongings.
The 27-year-old woman has since been charged with one count each of enter dwelling and commit, and wilful damage.
She has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear before Mackay Magistrates Court on 18 November.
Around 12pm yesterday, 29 October, police responded to reports of a stolen vehicle on Milton Street in Mackay.
Police will allege a 35-year-old man attended a Mackay showgrounds and stole a black and orange Kubota RTV900.
The vehicle was located abandoned and police located and arrested the man a short time later.
A 35-year-old man was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and is due to appear before Mackay Magistrates Court today, 30 October.
Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew McNamara said the work by Mackay's Property Crime Task Force is an example of the district's commitment to pursuing property crime offences.
"Investigating property crime remains a priority, and I commend the work being undertaken by our Property Crime Task Force," said Detective Acting Senior Sergeant McNamara.
"The work undertaken by our team in just a few weeks has seen multiple offenders held to account."
"Our team also ensured treasured family items were returned, and that vulnerable people will be supported through proactive investigations."
"Stolen property will be actively pursued and recovered wherever possible, and we ask the community to continue to report any instances of property offending to police."
Operation Yankee Forge is a 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.
