Broken ribs, spat on: Officers allegedly bashed by teens in brazen attack

Three police officers have been seriously assaulted by a group of juveniles after a shoplifting incident escalated into wild violence.

Four people have been charged after three police officers were assaulted . Photo: QPS.

Three police officers have been seriously assaulted by a group of juveniles after a shoplifting incident, north of Brisbane.

The Courier-Mail has been told one officer had his ribs broken and another was spat on after the incident near Fresh and Save at Beerwah on Wednesday.

The plainclothes officers, who were already nearby for another matter, approached a 13-year-old boy after he allegedly stole lollies from a shop.

While the officers were speaking to the boy a 17-year-old and an 18-year-old who knew the boy allegedly began assaulting the officers.

One of the officers had his ribs broken in the assault and another had abrasions and cuts while a third was spat on and also has abrasions and cuts.

In a statement police confirmed the incident and that the 13-year-old allegedly “violently resisted arrest”.

“As part of a shop stealing operation, police attempted to arrest a 13-year-old boy in a shopping centre on Simpson St around 1.30pm when the boy allegedly violently resisted arrest,” police said in a statement.

“During a subsequent physical altercation between two police officers and the boy, one officer sustained two broken ribs and the other officer sustained soft tissue damage to his left hand and wrist.

“A third officer was allegedly assaulted by associates of the 13-year-old boy. The officer was allegedly punched to his head and face and spat on.”

The injured police officers were taken to hospital for treatment but have since been discharged.

A 13-year-old Landsborough boy has been charged with one count each of unauthorised dealing with shops goods, commit public nuisance, obstruct police officer and serious assault police officer causing bodily harm.

He was due to appear in the Maroochydore Childrens Court on November 28.

An 18-year-old Maroochydore man has been charged with one count each of serious assault police officer, serious assault police officer by spitting, and wilful damage.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on January 29.

An 18-year-old Glass House Mountains man has been charged with one count each of serious assault police officer and assault police officer.

He is due to appear in Caloundra Magistrates Court on December 12.

A 17-year-old Walloon boy has been charged with one count each of obstruct police officer and assault police officer. He is due to appear in Maroochydore Childrens Court on December 4.

The officers involved are receiving support.