Townsville youth crime: Seven teens arrested in 24 hours over alleged theft incidents

Townsville’s youth crime issues are again in the spotlight after seven teens were arrested in seperate alleged incidents across the weekend. Here’s the details.

Seven teens, including three females at a Townsville bottle shop, were arrested in alleged non-related incidents over the weekend. File picture.

Seven teens aged 12-17 have been arrested in separate incidents across Townsville, which included alleged thefts from a bottle shop and a servo, and a crash involving a car allegedly stolen hours earlier.

The first incident, involving three teenage girls, occurred when the trio allegedly entered a liquor store on Bayswater Rd in Hyde Park about 1.55pm on Saturday, November 19.

According to police, one of the girls allegedly took a bottle of spirits from the shelves, and was noticed by a staff member who tried to stop her.

A girl allegedly held the bottle above her head in a threatening manner, and a second girl also then walked towards the staff member in a threatening manner, which led to the staff member being cornered at the back of the store.

The girls then allegedly grabbed two other bottles off the shelves and left the store.

Police were called and during a patrol of the area, they found the three girls inside a stationary car, and arrested them without incident.

They also allegedly located the stolen bottles of alcohol inside the car.

A 17 year old and two 16 year olds were charged with robbery, enter premises and commit indictable offence. The 17 year old was also charged with wilful damage.

The girls will each face the Townsville Children’s Court later this month.

Meanwhile, in a non-related incident, four teens aged 12-15 were arrested for alleged theft offences in the early hours of Sunday, November 20.

Police received information about an alleged stolen car involved in a crash on the corner of Fulham Rd and Ashton St in Vincent at around 7.40am.

Officers believe the car was taken from an address in Brazier St, Annandale, at about 5am that morning, and was then spotted at a service station at Thuringowa Drive, where two boys allegedly stole food items.

Police then located two boys, aged 12 and 13, and a 13-year-old girl at a home on Biggs St and arrested them.

They later located and arrested a third boy, aged 15, on the corner of Carthew St and Thuringowa Drive.

The 12-year-old boy was charged with possessing dangerous drugs, entering a dwelling and commit and unlawful use of a car, and was dealt with under the Youth Justices Act.

The 13 year-old boy was charged with unlawful use of a car and stealing, while the 13-year-old girl was charged with unlawful use of a car, wilful damage, and five counts of stealing.

The 15-year-old boy was charged with four counts of unlawful use of a car, and counts of dangerous and unlicensed driving and break-in offences.

The three teens will face the Townsville Children’s Court at a later date.

Originally published as Townsville youth crime: Seven teens arrested in 24 hours over alleged theft incidents