Three people have been charged with stealing by looting offences overnight as part of Operation Uniform Nash, targeting property crime at properties affected by the floods.
Around 6pm, a teenage boy was allegedly confronted by a member of the public in a flood affected carpark on Rogers Street in West End. Police will allege the teenager threatened a woman with a tool, whilst attempting to steal items from a car. Police attended the scene and arrested him.
The woman involved was not physically harmed.
The 15-year-old East Brisbane boy has been charged with three offences including two counts of stealing by looting in natural disaster and one count of threatening violence. He will appear in Brisbane Childrens Court.
In a separate incident at 11.45pm, police were conducting patrols in the Oxley area and located a man and woman with items allegedly stolen from flood-affected properties.
The man and woman, both aged 26 and from Sherwood, were issued with a Notice to Appear for one count of stealing by looting in a natural disaster. They will appear at Richlands Magistrates Court on April 13.
Acting Superintendent Paul Austin said since Operation Uniform Nash commenced on Tuesday, March 1 seven people had been charged in relation to 18 incidents.
"Police will continue to conduct proactive controls within flood affected areas to disrupt and prevent opportunistic thieves from targeting homes and businesses that are devasted by flooding.
"Officers will take a zero-tolerance approach when it comes to looting and ask members of the public to continue to contact Policelink on 131 444 if they witness suspicious behaviour or believes they may be victim to looting.
"Police are also receiving reports of people scouting out furniture and belongings that have been left on the curb side.
"This is a timely reminder to all members of the public that often these are treasured possessions that flood victims are having to sift through. Please show compassion and consider asking permission from owners before assuming items left out in front of houses are rubbish.
"Trespassing on residential properties and taking items without permission is considered stealing and police will take action against those offending."
