Taskforce Guardian nabs alleged teen car thieves in Cairns
A Cairns crime victim claims to have been encouraged to post images of alleged teen crims by police after getting her Whitfield home broken into and vehicle stolen.
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A Cairns crime victim has shamed a group of alleged teen criminals by posting photos of them under arrest after her Whitfield home was broken into and her vehicle stolen.
Last week a gang of teens accused of busting into a Whitfield home before making off with a Kia Rio were among the 55 people charged with 221 offences after a week-long blitz on Cairns property offenders.
Between November 5-12, Taskforce Guardian joined Cairns general duties officers, Tactical Crime Squad and Child Protection and Investigation Unit for its eleventh deployment to the region to investigate and disrupt youth offending.
A Whitfield mother was inadvertently involved in the latest crack down.
She was at her home sleeping when it’s alleged six teens broke in and stole her handbag, house keys and car.
The Kia Rio was later recovered on Macilwraith St and the teenagers were caught on Murray St by Taskforce Guardian officers at 7.45am on November 9.
The victim of crime later made social media post about her experience and included photos of the alleged offenders, handcuffed while sitting on the ground surrounded by police.
“I have been encouraged by QPS to get their faces out there into the public eye,” she wrote.
Four boys aged between 14 and 17 were arrested in Manoora after allegedly running from the Kia Rio stolen from the property.
The teenagers were charged with a total of 12 property crime offences in relation to the incident, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, enter dwelling with intent and obstruct police.
Taskforce Guardian started in May 2023 and with the formation of the Youth Crime Taskforce six months earlier, was among a range of initiatives announced in the weeks after the horrific home invasion murder of mother-of-two Emma Lovell.
Following the recent change of government the fate of two youth crime taskforces remains unclear, according to Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski.
“No decision’s made yet, of course, but we are really committed to it,” he said.
“I’m sure that there is a very strong focus on youth crime from the government and I expect to see things enhance in that space.”
Taskforce Guardian brings together specialist police and expert youth justice officers, who deploy to districts across Queensland to work alongside local police.
The Taskforce also works with key support services and local resources to engage at-risk youth with relevant programs and agencies, focusing on health, education, disability services and cultural initiatives.
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Originally published as Taskforce Guardian nabs alleged teen car thieves in Cairns
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