Police arrest children on alleged armed robbery of bus driver

Two teenagers who allegedly tried to rob a bus driver with a knife in Cairns were arrested on Saturday.

POLICE said a quick-thinking Cairns bus driver thwarted two youngsters who they allege attempted to rob the cash box and threatened him with a weapon on Saturday.

On June 27, Senior Constable Martin Shephard said police will allege that the boys aged 15 and 12, were arrested on June 25 following an alleged armed robbery of a bus driver.

He said police will allege a group of boys got on the bus in Earlville and as the bus followed its route and stopped at Barnard Drive, Mount Sheridan, the group got off the bus.

“Two boys allegedly attempted to grab money from the driver,” he said.

“The driver however, has been on to them, he closed the money drawer and stopped them.

“One boy allegedly threatened the driver with a knife before the pair fled.”

Sen Const. Shephard said both boys were located and arrested a short time later.

He said the 12-year-old Mooroobool boy and 15-year-old Gordonvale boy were charged with one count of attempted armed robbery.

“The 12 year-old boy was bailed with strict conditions to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court,” he said.

“A 15-year-old Gordonvale boy was charged with one count of attempted armed robbery.”

Sen Const. Shephard said officers opposed the boy’s bail and he will appear in the Cairns Childrens Court.”

Cairns police are investigating an alleged attempted robbery of a Sunbus driver on June 25. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

Sunbus was contacted for comment.

The attempted robbery is the latest in a series of assaults on bus drivers including last month when a spear was thrown into a bus on May 22.

Police later said it was fortunate that no-one was injured.

On Sunday police said a 36-year-old Wulguru man was arrested following an alleged incident involving the serious assault of a police officer at a Martyn St unit block in Parramatta Park on June 26.

Sen Const. Shephard said they attended the address due a reported disturbance.

“Officers spoke with several people and as they were leaving, the man has allegedly thrown a glass jar at the officers from the balcony of a second story unit,” he said.

“The item struck the officer on the wrist.”

The man was arrested and charged with one count of serious assault of a police officer and one of wilful damage.

The man was bailed and will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on July 11.

Originally published as Police arrest children on alleged armed robbery of bus driver