Five Teens Face Crime Charges

Bayside detectives have charged five teenagers with more than 50 alleged property crime and vehicle theft offences following arrests in Mount Cotton and investigations across southeast Queensland. The charges relate to incidents reported between July 4 and 11 in areas including Redland Bay, Birkdale, Tingalpa, Warner, Edens Landing, Pacific Pines, Oxenford and Palmview.

Police said an investigation began after an allegedly stolen BYD Seal collided with a blue Hyundai i30 at the intersection of Double Jump Road and Mount Cotton Road at about 12:10 p.m. on July 16. Three juveniles allegedly fled the scene before officers arrived. The Hyundai’s driver, a man in his 60s, was taken to Redlands Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

A 17-year-old Victoria Point boy was charged with 24 offences, including eight counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, five counts each of stealing and entering a dwelling to commit an offence, and four counts of entering premises and committing an indictable offence. A 15-year-old Victoria Point boy and a 16-year-old Coochiemudlo Island boy were each charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and possessing dangerous drugs.

Police had previously charged a 16-year-old Park Ridge boy with 25 offences and a 15-year-old Redland Bay boy with three vehicle-related offences. The teenagers are due to appear, or have appeared, in Cleveland Children’s Court on dates ranging from July 13 to July 24. The investigation forms part of Operation Yankee Forge, a Queensland Police initiative targeting vehicle theft, unlawful entry and other high-harm offences.