Taskforce Guardian in operation on Queensland-NSW border at Goondiwindi

It has been a busy fortnight on the border for our police as they responded to multiple robberies. Their work has now led to nine arrests.

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested and charged with a horrifying spate of armed robberies after a heavy police presence into cross-border communities at Goondiwindi and Boggabilla.

The boy was one of six people charged during the operation involving Queensland and NSW police over the past week that targeted offenders in Goondiwindi and Boggabilla.

Between Tuesday, October 29, and Friday, November 1, police conducted 36 high-visibility patrols and arrested six people in relation to 25 offences with the help of officers from Taskforce Guardian.

Four people were arrested in NSW on 20 offences.

The Boggabilla teen has been extradited to Queensland and will face 13 charges, including three armed robberies, two unlawful use of a motor vehicle, enter premises and serious assault of a person aged over 60 years.

The other arrests include a 45-year-old Goondiwindi man charged with indecent treatment of a child, a 42-year-old Boggabilla man charged with stealing and obstructing police and another 42-year-old-Boggabilla man charged with stalking, breaching bail and possessing prohibited drugs.

A 32-year-old Boggabilla woman was charged with assault and breaching a domestic violence order.

The flare-up of offending began on November 23 when offenders stole a Jeep from a rural property at Boggabilla.

They then allegedly robbed several people on both sides of the border, in the early hours of November 24.

A NSW Police spokeswoman said a 36-year-old man told New England Police District officers he had been asleep in the cab of his truck when he was threatened by an offender with a knife who demanded money.

It is understood the thief then fled the scene with a wallet and jewellery in the stolen Jeep Cherokee.

At about 3.10am another truck driver parked behind a Boggabilla service station was asleep in his cab when the driver’s side window was smashed.

The 66-year-old driver told police a man entered the cab and struck him with a claw hammer to his right knee while threatening and demanding money.

Since commencing in May 2023, Taskforce Guardian has charged 2,162 young people with 6384 offences and diverted 982 young people from the youth justice system.

Darling Downs District Officer Superintendent Doug McDonald said the operation was an example of united efforts to disrupt offending in border communities.

“This operation was not only about seeking justice for victims and holding offenders to account, but disrupting and deterring crime before it happens,” he said.

“We know that by being highly visible alongside NSW police, it sends a message that we’re working together to protect our communities, and travelling across borders won’t slow down police efforts.

“I’d like to thank local police, Taskforce Guardian and NSW police for their efforts this week, and we look forward to continuing to work closely together to keep our communities safe.”

Originally published as Taskforce Guardian in operation on Queensland-NSW border at Goondiwindi