Boys charged after spate of car break-ins, window-smashing rips through Earlville Shopping Town

Two boys aged 10 and 12 have been charged after allegedly smashing cars, stealing cash and phones at a major Cairns shopping centre. Find out how they were caught here.

A pair of Mooroobool boys aged 10 and 12 have been charged after allegedly smashing the windows of several cars at a major Cairns shopping centre this week, stealing cash and mobile phones.

It will be alleged the boys smashed windows on six vehicles parked on the upper level of Earlville Shopping Town on October 3, breaking into the vehicles and taking items from inside.

Police say the 10-year-old boy was driving an allegedly stolen car the next day, October 4, on Cochrane Street in Mooroobool, driving dangerously and travelling on the wrong side of the road.

It is believed more than six cars were damaged at Earlville shops recently, with police reporting several vehicles were similarly damaged in the centre car park between September 26 and September 29.

One person posted to Facebook saying their car had been broken into at Earlville Shopping Town. Picture: Facebook

Some victims took to Facebook to vent their frustration.

“I am so p*ssed,” one woman wrote in a local crime watch group.

“We were enjoying our day off, watching [a] movie in BCC cinema. Suddenly [the] cops called me and told me this sad news. 6 cars [have] been smashed this evening including mine.”

“Crimes in Cairns [have] been sky rocket[ing]. It’s not safe anymore,” she wrote.

Police feared that some break-ins at Earlville Shopping Town were not being reported. Picture: Facebook

Earlville Shopping Town management CBRE said they were working with local police and community groups to ensure the shopping centre was “a safe and welcoming environment for all”.

“The safety and wellbeing of our customers, our retailers, our staff members, and everyone at EST is always our top priority,” the CBRE spokesman said.

“We have CCTV cameras located in key areas within our carpark and in-centre, an on-site

Police Beat open and available for support 24/7, and we have an increased security presence in the centre.

“We will continue to put strategies in place like our FNQ Slam monthly event for disengaged youth, which has already seen some great results, and our work directly with Police Beat to educate and equip our retailers and stakeholders to effectively manage all potential situations.”

Some shoppers said on social media they would avoid Earlville Shopping Town over safety fears. Picture: Brendan Radke

According to police there had been no complaints received from the public about Earlville shopping centre before the spate of break-ins this week.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said they had received nine complaints of unlawful entry of a motor vehicle at the Earlville Shopping Town car park this week, but feared there may have been more unreported.

“Investigators believe more vehicles may have been damaged and are encouraging people to report any incidents to police,” the spokesman said.

“[Police] would like to take the opportunity to remind members of the public to keep valuables secured within vehicles out of view from would be thieves.”

The 12-year-old Mooroobool boy was charged with ten counts of enter premise and commit indictable offence, two counts of wilful damage and one count each of receiving tainted property and trespass.

The 10-year-old Mooroobool boy was charged with three counts of wilful damage, and one count each of enter premise and commit indictable offence, trespass, dangerous driving, unlicenced driving and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Both boys are scheduled to appear before Cairns Children’s Court.

Investigations are ongoing.

Originally published as Boys charged after spate of car break-ins, window-smashing rips through Earlville Shopping Town