Man steals from bottlo, ends up in brawl at Airlie Beach backpackers

Multiple police units attended a disturbance at a backpackers’ on Airlie Esplanade on Thursday night, unwittingly solving a shoplifting case where they were at it.

A passer-by posted a video to social media showing multiple police units attending a disturbance on Airlie Esplanade on Thursday night. Picture: Facebook

A bottle of whisky that disappeared down a man’s pants in a shoplifting incident on Thursday night has turned up in the aftermath of a brawl at an Airlie Beach backpackers’ hostel.

Multiple police units attended a disturbance at backpackers’ accommodation on Airlie Esplanade about 6.30pm on Thursday, June 24, following reports of a fight between “numerous persons”.

Whitsunday Police acting officer in charge Sergeant Ryan Gregory said some of those involved had “run away” by the time police arrived, however two men were found at the scene.

Sgt Gregory said one of the men had earlier that evening been reported for stealing at bottle of Jack Daniels from BWS Airlie Beach.

Police recovered the stolen grog at the scene of the brawl, and charged the alleged offender with stealing as well as contravening a direction or requirement of police.

‘Encouraging’ signs for assault-reduction strategies

Sgt Gregory said in addition to those incidents, police had issued 11 infringement notices for street offences in the Airlie Beach Safe Night Precinct over the past week, as part of an ongoing crackdown on anti-social behaviour at licenced premises.

Offences from the past week included: three violent public nuisances, two disorderly public nuisances, one offensive public nuisance, one threatening public nuisance, two public urinations, and two contravene police direction.

Sgt Gregory was pleased to report there had been no arrests for assault.