Kid car thief charged after allegedly stealing police officer’s vehicle in Cairns

Cairns’ car theft epidemic has proven it does not discriminate with an off-duty police officer falling victim to alleged teen car thief in a late-night apartment break-in.

CAIRNS’ car theft epidemic has proven it does not discriminate with an off-duty police officer falling victim to an alleged teen car thief in a late-night apartment break-in.

Police allege a 15-year-old boy forced entry to a Cairns apartment between 10.30pm on April 1 and 1.40am on April 2, stole car keys and made off with a police officer’s vehicle.

Acting Inspector Glen De Lai said unfortunately even police were not immune to those offences.

Police patrol car on the road at night with flashing blue lights and backlights from other vehicles

“From what I understand the officer was unaware at that time, later on in the evening police were alerted to a vehicle driving in an erratic manner,” he said.

“Tyre deflation devices were deployed and that vehicle was recovered shortly after.”

Acting Inspector De Lai said he believed the premises were locked at the time of the break in.

After spotting the car being driven dangerously, police deployed a tyre deflation device on Mulgrave Road where the vehicle was then dumped.

“Once inside, they’ve located the vehicle keys and taken the police vehicle,” he said.

Acting Inspector Glen De Lai said the officer was unaware of the break-in at the time.

“The message we constantly try to get out us is that yes hide your keys, make sure your premise is secure before you go to sleep and hide your valuables.”

Police stated the boy accused of the car theft was identified through CCTV and later arrested in Bentley Park.

The officer’s stolen car follows the release of the latest stolen car figures on Monday.

A total 17 vehicles have been stolen during the first four days in April from Gordonvale to the northern beaches of Cairns.

Senior Executive Director from the Department of Children, Youth Justice and Multicultural Affairs Michael Drane, Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman and Youth Justice Taskforce Assistant Commissioner Cheryl Scanlon on the Cairns Esplanade. Picture: Brendan Radke

In March a staggering 162 vehicles were stolen in a crime wave and Cairns’ top cop conceded had got the better of law enforcement.

“Last week we struggled, simple as that,” Acting Chief Superintendent Chris Hodgman said last week.

The 15-year-old boy was denied police bail and appeared in court on Monday charged with burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

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Originally published as Kid car thief charged after allegedly stealing police officer’s vehicle in Cairns