Police have arrested 10 teenagers in 10 days in relation to alleged break-ins, car thefts and other offences committed along the Sunshine Coast during the past six weeks.
The Sunshine Coast Child Protection and Investigation Unit established Operation Cornmeal to identify, locate and arrest a number of juveniles following multiple alleged break and enters and car thefts during August and September.
The areas allegedly hit include Castaways Beach, Peregian Beach, Coolum Beach, Mount Coolum, Diddillibah, Kuluin, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Buderim, Birtinya, Wurtulla, Caloundra West and Maleny.
Police have laid a total of 121 charges over 40 separate incidents.
All of the teenagers arrested have been charged.
Sunshine Coast CPIU officer-in-charge Detective Senior Sergeant Kerri Della-Vedova said police took recidivist youth offending seriously and were committed to seeking justice for victims.
“Through Operation Cornmeal, the community can be assured that we’re working to identify, locate and arrest young people who choose to repeatedly commit offences on the Sunshine Coast,” she said.
“CPIU detectives will continue to target this high-level offending which causes harm in our community.”
A 14-year-old Baringa girl was charged with 11 counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, nine counts of unlicensed driving, eight counts of stealing, five counts of enter and commit, and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, evade police, unlawful entry of motor vehicle, and trespass. She is due to appear in the Maroochydore Children’s Court on September 18.
A 14-year-old Sippy Downs boy was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, wilful damage, possess implement of housebreaking, unlicenced driving, and possess category M weapon. He is due to appear in the Maroochydore Children’s Court on October 9.
A 15-year-old Buderim girl was charged with five counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of stealing and one count of enter dwelling and commit, and obstruct police officer. She is due to appear in Maroochydore Children’s Court on September 18.
A 17-year-old Bli Bli boy was charged with four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of enter premises with intent to commit, and one count each of obstruct police, enter dwelling and commit, stealing, and enter dwelling with intent. He has been dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
A 16-year-old Pacific Paradise was girl charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of stealing an one count of burglary. She is due to appear in Maroochydore Children’s Court on September 13.
A 13-year-old Currimundi girl was charged with six counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, four counts of burglary, three counts of unlicensed driving, and one count each of stealing, common assault, unlawful possession of stolen property, bail act warrant, unlawful take away goods and driving without due care. She is due to appear in Maroochydore Children’s Court on September 13.
Det Snr Sgt Della-Vedova said the Sunshine Coast Youth Co-Responder Team and Youth Engagement Hub were also working to engage with and divert young people at-risk of offending or just starting to commit crime, with the aim of reducing offences into the future.
Investigations into the reported crimes are ongoing and anyone with information is urged to contact police.
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