Cairns youth crime spree: Police charge three teens in separate incidents

Far North officers have been kept busy combatting the youth crime crisis in Cairns, as another wave of incidents hit the city overnight.

Queensland police in action. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

Far North officers have been kept busy combatting the youth crime crisis in Cairns, as another wave of incidents hit the city overnight.

In a smash-and-grab incident, two 16-year-old boys from Hudson have been charged following a break-in at a Woodward Street liquor store on Monday, January 13.

Police allege a stolen vehicle was used to smash through the shopfront, before several individuals made off with large quantities of alcohol.

It will be further alleged the boys were involved in multiple stolen vehicles, break-ins, and thefts between October 21, 2024, and January 15.

The two Hudson boys were arrested after being located at a Mooroobool address on Monday, January 20.

Cairns police tackle youth crime wave with multiple arrests following smash-and-grab, break-ins, and car thefts. File photo. iStock.

They face a total of five counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of stealing, and two counts of entering premises.

Both are due to appear before Cairns Children’s Court on Tuesday, January 21, and Wednesday, January 22.

In a separate incident, a 15-year-old boy from Whitfield has been charged after allegedly breaking into a Balaclava Road home on Monday afternoon and attempting to steal a Toyota HiLux, causing damage to the vehicle.

Police allege the boy returned to the same house later that evening and again tried to steal the vehicle before being disturbed by the homeowners.

Officers patrolling the area arrested him on Mulgrave Road shortly afterwards.

Shocking data from the Queensland Police Union revealed the Far North has the highest vacancy rate in Queensland, with a 13.2 per cent shortfall, equating to 118 missing sworn officers. Picture: iStock.

The boy has been charged with one count each of entering a dwelling, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

He has been refused bail and will appear before Cairns Children’s Court on Tuesday, January 21.

Additionally, a 14-year-old boy from Earlville has been charged in connection with multiple stolen vehicles, break-ins, and thefts between February 2024 and January 2025.

Authorities allege the boy used a stolen Volkswagen Polo on January 6, which was taken from a Manunda home and later abandoned in Bayview Heights on January 8.

The teenager was charged on Monday, January 21, after police located him on Florence Street on Sunday evening, January 19.

He faces nine counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of entering premises, and one count of stealing.

He is due to appear before Cairns Children’s Court on Wednesday, January 22.

This comes after Far North’s thin blue line has been exposed with astonishing figures highlighting the short-handed battle our cops are fighting in the midst of a booming youth crime crisis.

Shocking data from the Queensland Police Union revealed the Far North has the highest vacancy rate in Queensland, with a 13.2% shortfall, equating to 118 missing sworn officers.

Originally published as Cairns youth crime spree: Police charge three teens in separate incidents