Tablelands Unit Lays 410 Charges

The newly established Tablelands Property Crime Unit has charged 116 people with 410 offences since February 24, Queensland Police said. The unit is targeting high-harm and high-volume property offences across the region.

Earlier this month, officers from the unit, along with police from Millaa Millaa and Malanda, executed search warrants at a Millaa Millaa property. Police allegedly seized more than $50,000 worth of stolen goods, including trailers, roadworks equipment, power tools, vehicle number plates, signs and traffic equipment belonging to government departments, councils and businesses.

A 40-year-old Millaa Millaa man was arrested on May 12 and charged with 26 offences, including receiving tainted property, unlawful possession of vehicles, drug-related offences and breaches of a domestic violence order. Police said he was refused bail and was due to appear in Mareeba Magistrates Court.

An 18-year-old Mareeba man was also arrested on May 10 and charged with 20 offences following alleged property crimes, including the theft of a Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross. He was remanded in custody and was due to reappear in court on May 25. Detective Acting Inspector Tony Law said the unit would continue using intelligence-led strategies to target repeat and high-harm offenders as part of Operation Yankee Forge, a statewide initiative focused on vehicle theft, unlawful entry and robbery.