Bayside detectives have charged three people with 33 offences following investigations into vehicle thefts across Brisbane's south.
It is alleged that between 2 September and 7 September, the group committed property offences and stole vehicles across Wynnum, Morningside, Acacia Ridge, Calamvale, Annerley and Holland Park.
A total of 9 vehicles alleged to be stolen included a Jaguar E-Pace, Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Pajero, Lexus and BMW. To date, four vehicles have been recovered.
On 5 September, detectives from the Bayside Property Crime Team arrested a 15-year-old boy at an address in Inala.
He was charged with 14 offences, including five counts of enter dwelling and commit, two counts each of attempted enter dwelling with intent at night in company and unlawful use of a motor vehicle (UUMV) – use in the night in company, and one count each of UUMV- use in the night was or pretended to be armed in company, and UUMV – use in company.
His police bail was refused, and he first appeared before Wynnum Children's Court on 7 September, where he was remanded in custody to reappear on 10 September.
On 7 September, Inala Tactical Crime Squad officers tracked a stolen vehicle to Cedar Street in Cannon Hill, where an 18-year-old Cannon Hill woman was located and arrested.
She was charged with 10 offences including two counts each of attempted enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence and UUMV – use, and one count of attempted enter dwelling with intent at night whilst armed in company, enter dwelling and commit, UUMV – use in company.
Her police bail was refused, and she first appeared before Wynnum Magistrates Court on 8 September where she was remanded in custody to reappear on 24 September.
That same day, investigators conducted a search warrant at a separate address in Inala and arrested a 16-year-old Inala boy.
He was charged with four counts of enter dwelling and commit, two counts of attempted enter dwelling with intent at night in company and one count each of UUMV – use in the night in company, UUMV- use in the night was or pretended to be armed in company, and UUMV – use in company.
His police bail was refused, and he first appeared before Wynnum Childrens Court on 8 September where he was remanded in custody to reappear on 1 October.
Investigations remain ongoing.
The arrests are several of the latest under Operation Yankee Forge, a state-wide operation targeting property offences, car theft and robbery.
South Brisbane District Acting Superintendent Jon Kent says there is no excuse for anyone to commit offences of this nature and disrupt the local community.
"Any offence in our community is one too many," Acting Superintendent Kent says.
"Police will continue to target anyone who commits crime in Brisbane's south and hold them to account through enforcement action.
"Not only will police thoroughly investigate any crime reported, but we also continue to conduct daily proactive patrols targeting the areas where intelligence tells us offences may be more likely to occur to detect and deter further offending."
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.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au or call 131 444.
