The Cairns property Crime Squad charge five people with a total of 16 offences
The Cairns property crime squad have charged five people with a total of 16 offences including a child.
Cairns
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G’day Far Northerners, here’s everything you need to know about what’s happening across the region this week, May 30 to June 3.
TODAY’S HEADLINES
City workers react to council plans for CBD ‘wet zone’ trial
Cocaine haul pilot feared for his life, court told
How city plans to tackle massive taxi, Uber driver shortage
Huge boost to FNQ film industry
‘Gratuitous violence’: Cairns man sentenced for manslaughter
How you get a half-price bargain at Cairns op shops
TODAY’S NEWS
Property crime squad Arrest, Cairns
FOUR adults and one child have been charged on Thursday with a total of 16 offences.
An 18-year-old man from Manoora allegedly broke into a Redlynch property, stole petrol from two service stations and three cars from Parramatta Park, Cairns North and Cairns City in the past week. He was charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of stealing and one count each of burglary and unlicensed driving. He was scheduled to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday.
While a 28-year-old woman from Caravonica and a 30-year-old man from Manoora allegedly entered an apartment complex on Lake Street before attempting to steal some keys. They were charged with one count each of enter premises to commit and enter premises with intent. They are expected to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on June 17.
An 18-year-old woman from Mooroobool allegedly broke into a home in Whitfield on May 29 with others and stole two vehicles and other property. She was charged with one count of burglary, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of possessing a dangerous drug. Two 16-year-olds were also charged with these offences on May 30 but investigations were ongoing.
The woman however allegedly was found with a quantity of methylamphetamine when she was searched before getting into the police car. She is scheduled to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on June 17.
The last charge of the night included a 14-year-old boy from White Rock who allegedly stole fuel on May 23 from Manunda. He was charged with one count of stealing and is scheduled to appear in Children’s court.
Dangerous driving Cairns
A 32-year-old man from Cairns has been charged with one count each of dangerous driving, drive without reasonable consideration for other persons using that road, drive uninsured, unregistered, unlicensed, drug driving, contravene a domestic violence order and breach of bail.
Police allegedly saw the man around 6.15pm on June 2 driving a white Toyota Landcruiser, south along Mulgrave Road towards Earlville at a high speed.
They located the car again around 7pm and attempted to intercept the car but the car allegedly drove erratically before parking in Amethyst Street, Bayview Heights where he was then arrested.
The man was expected to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday, the vehicle was also seized.
Man taken to hospital after Kuranda crash
A man has been taken to Cairns Hospital in a stable condition after his vehicle rolled over at the top of the Kuranda Range early this morning.
Emergency services rushed to the crash at 3.15am on Friday morning with the male driver, in his 30s, trapped in the car around 4km on the Cairns side of the Kennedy Highway.
The man was successfully extricated and transported by ambulance to the Cairns Hospital with head, neck and chest injuries.
A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said the man is in a stable condition.
The crash has not impacted traffic on the range.
THURSDAY’S NEWS
Emergency services save trapped woman, Bruce Highway
EMERGENCY services have rescued a woman trapped in a car on the Bruce Highway after a two vehicle smash.
Queensland police, ambulance and fire crews were all called to Fitzgerald Creek at around 6.30am on Thursday after the crash, which resulted in a female being encapsulated in her vehicle.
A spokesman from the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said crews were able to safely gain access to the patient before she was placed in the hands of paramedics.
A Queensland Ambulance spokesman said she was transported to Innisfail Hospital in a stable condition.
Police are still clearing the scene and traffic is unlikely to be impacted.
An investigation into the crash is underway.
Woman arrested on fraud charges
A CAIRNS woman has been charged following a number of alleged thefts, including stolen bank cards and subsequent fraudulent transactions.
Smithfield police arrested a 21-year-old Bayview Heights woman after investigations revealed she allegedly stole a backpack containing personal items and bank cards left on a bicycle on the Yorkeys Knob beachfront on May 25.
A short time later it is alleged she used the victim’s debit card at businesses in Yorkeys Knob, Earlville and Manoora to purchase “hundreds of dollars worth of cigarettes, fuel, gift cards and other goods.”
A Queensland Police spokesman said extensive review of CCTV footage led detectives to execute a search warrant at a Bayview Heights home yesterday, where the accused was taken into custody.
She has been charged with stealing and fraud.
She is scheduled to reappear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on July 4.
WEDNESDAY’S NEWS
Three rescues in the past week have prompted a warning from police about the dangers of being unprepared when bushwalking.
Queensland Police are again reminding hikers to take precautions and notify friends and family of their plans.
The warning follows at least three rescues this week including one captured on video where the Cairns-based Rescue 510 helicopter assisted paramedics and Queensland Fire and Emergency Service crews to assist when an elderly couple hiking Walshs Pyramid on Friday got into trouble.
On the way down from the summit, the man had a fall and injured his back and leg.
QFES and Queensland Ambulance Service crews treated the man before he was winched off the mountain and flown to hospital for treatment.
Police have urged bushwalkers to carry food and water, phone or other communication, and to stay with their vehicle if they break down.
Hikers that wander off to seek help run the risk of getting lost and perishing if they do not have the adequate supplies or knowledge to stay safe.
Attempted rape, Westcourt
Cairns police have charge a 26-year-old Westcourt man over an alleged sexual assault and attempted rape at a Westcourt home.
Police will allege the man entered a woman’s home at around 2am. The victim woke after she heard a noise and went to investigate.
The man grabbed the woman before sexually assaulting her before she broke free and fled the apartment.
The man was known to the woman.
“Police declared a crime scene and the man was taken into custody at a nearby unit,” a Queensland Police statement said.
The man was charged with entering a dwelling at night, common assault, attempted rape and two counts of sexual assault. He was remanded in custody to reappear in the Cairns Magistrates Court
on June 21.
TUESDAY, MAY 31
Going armed to cause fear charge
A terrifying situation for a Cairns carer and child allegedly carjacked in Cairns North has ended with the arrest of a local man on a string of serious charges.
Cairns CIB detectives yesterday charged a 44-year-old local man with one count each of going armed to cause fear, enter premises with intent, extortion with threat and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Police allege the man produced a weapon and threatened a 38-year-old Parramatta Park man in McLeod Street, Cairns North about 9.30am on Monday.
He demanded the other man hand over his mobile phone before slashing the man’s bike tyre and riding off on a bicycle.
Moments later, the man returned and continued yelling threats before security officers arrived, police were called, and the man was arrested.
In a further incident police allege the man approached a Manunda woman and child seated in a parked car on McLeod St at about 5.30pm last Wednesday, May 25.
It’s alleged the man got into the back seat of the car before demanding the woman drive him. The woman refused, however once he threatened her and the boy, she negotiated to drop the child off first.
As the woman did so, she too got out of the car, and the man got into the driver’s seat and stole the vehicle.
Officer in Charge of Cairns Crime Prevention Unit, Sergeant Cary Coolican said the woman showed great presence in a stressful situation.
“Local police commend the quick thinking actions of the woman involved in this incident,” Sergeant Coolican said.
“She used her head and negotiated herself to get into a position where both she and the child were able to make good their escape without being harmed”.
No persons were injured and the vehicle, a 2014 red Hyundai i30 hatch with Queensland registration 268VSQ remains outstanding.
He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.
Missing woman, Edmonton
UPDATE: The woman missing from Edmonton since May 26 has been found. Police confirmed 49-year-old Melissa Bourke was found safe and well about 2.15am on Tuesday morning.
EARLIER: Police are seeking assistance to find a 49-year-old woman missing from Edmonton since May 26.
Melissa Bourke is described as caucasian, about 160cm tall with long brown hair and blue eyes. Ms Bourke was last seen leaving a residence on Accatino Street carrying a mustard-colour shoulder bag while wearing long brown pants.
There is concern for her welfare because she has a medical condition which requires medication.
Anyone who has seen Ms Bourke is urged to contact police.
MONDAY, MAY 30
Sudden death Cairns CBD
Cairns police attended a sudden non-suspicious death in the CBD this morning.
Officers arrived at a Grafton St property at 3am and concluded the death did not require further investigation.
A police media spokesman said a report regarding the death would be prepared for the coroner.
WEATHER
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a mostly sunny week with temperatures ranging from 27 to 30C.
Weekly forecast for Cairns
Monday
Mostly sunny
28°-19°
Tuesday
Mostly sunny
29°-18°
Wednesday
Mostly sunny
28°-19°
Thursday
Partly cloudy
28-°19°
Friday
Partly cloudy
28°-19°
Saturday
Partly cloudy
29°-19°
Sunday
Partly cloudy
29°-19°
TRAFFIC
Cape Tribulation / Kimberley
Roadworks have been reported on Cape Tribulation Bloomfield Road at Cape Tribulation / Kimberley
Long delays are expected in both directions towards Wujal Wujal.
Coen / Laura
The Peninsula Developmental Road is subject to a 5 Tonne GVM limit from Laura to Coen due to water over the road.
Edmonton/Gordonvale
Roadworks are being carried out on the Bruce Highway — Cairns Southern Access Corridor — Stage 3: Edmonton to Gordonvale. Delays expected (during active hours of work), with all lanes in both directions affected. The work is expected to run until June 30, 2023.
Feluga
Major intersection upgrade at East Feluga Road and Bruce Hwy. Delays are expected to August 12, 2022.
Lake Eacham
Wrights Creek Road is closed to all traffic. Motorists are advised to use an alternative route.
Ravenshoe
Roadworks have been reported at Grigg St, Ravenshoe and are expected to December 12, 2022.
Wrights Creek
Hill Road Closed permanently from the Bruce Highway to Harris Road to December 2024.
WHAT’S ON
Cairns Esplanade Lagoon
Picnic benches outside of Muddies
Public barbecues
Fitness equipment
Playgrounds including Muddy’s Playground and the Fun Ship Playground
Basketball and tennis courts
Bump tracks and BMX tracks (within parks)
The Esplanade Activity Precinct (skate plaza, bouldering park, beach volleyball courts, multipurpose court)
The Lagoon and Council-run swimming pools
Flecker Gardens
Arts and cultural venues including Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Tanks Arts Centre, the Courthouse gallery
Buy Back Shop
Botanic Gardens Visitor Centre
Barlow Park
Tobruk, Smithfield and Gordonvale pools
Marlin Coast Recreation Centre
Green Space Our Place
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Originally published as The Cairns property Crime Squad charge five people with a total of 16 offences
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