Teenage boy to face children’s court over nine business break-ins in Hervey Bay

A teenage boy who allegedly broke into nine Hervey Bay businesses and a 43-year-old man who allegedly broke into two have been arrested and charged.

Detective Senior Sergeant David Harbison addresses the media, saying the arrest was made as police investigated a spate of property offences across the region.

A 14-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in relation to nine break-ins at businesses across Hervey Bay, while police continue to search for a second alleged juvenile offender.

Detective Senior Sergeant David Harbison said the arrest had been made as police investigated a spate of property offences across the region.

The 14-year-old was allegedly involved in break-ins at Pialba’s Subway restaurant, Autopro, Cut it Out Christa in Urangan, Mum’s Charcoal Chicken, Burger Urge at Stockland, Barbecues Galore, Coffee Central and Menus on Main.

A 43-year-old man was also arrested in relation to break-ins at Harvey Norman in Eli Waters and Battery World in Pialba.

Police said the 14-year-old had been arrested on September 7 and charged with a number of offences.

He will face Hervey Bay Children’s Court.

Most of the alleged break-ins occurred overnight on September 6-7.

MORE FRASER COAST NEWS

• Murder charges mentioned in Maryborough court
  
• Wide Bay Burnett Master Builders Housing & Construction Award winners revealed
  
• Maryborough’s vacant Neptune Street site to be redeveloped

“Most of them were broken into throwing rocks or implements through windows and a very small amount of money stolen,” Det Snr Sgt Harbison said.

“Considerable damage was caused though so that’s a great nuisance factor.”

Police were appealing for anyone who might have relevant dashcam footage to come forward, Det Snr Sgt Harbison said.

“Police are also looking for another juvenile offender,” he said.

“We have had a number of property crime offences in the Hervey Bay division unfortunately in the recent past.

“Detectives have been cleaning up those offences when we can and that also involved the arrest of a 43-year-old male earlier this week.”

Det Snr Sgt Harbison said both were minor incidents, with minor amounts of property stolen.

But he said while offenders often got little reward out of break-ins, with most businesses leaving little to no cash on premises, it was still frustrating and expensive for business owners, who were left with the repairs and clean up.

“The damage caused is really major for these businesses involved.

“A lot of them can’t afford to claim it on insurance and the cost to repair windows and the like runs into the thousands of dollars.”

Police had ramped up late night patrols to combat property offences, Det Snr Sgt Harbison said.

He said police were also counting on the public to come forward and report any suspicious-looking behaviour.