Four teens charged over armed robbery, arson in South Burnett

Ambushes, home invasions and armed hold-ups are all alleged to have taken place during a wild crime spree.

Three boys aged 13 to 15 are facing more than 20 charges after a four day crime spree where it is alleged they broke into homes, stole and torched cars, and assaulted victims.

Four boys aged 13-15 have been charged with more than 25 crimes after a four day crime spree where it is alleged they broke into properties, stole and torched cars and assaulted victims.

Police alleged the spree began on Thursday, May 29, when the group tried to break into a property on Douglas Street in Murgon.

When they couldn’t get in, they broke into a nearby home by smashing the front door with a garden ornament.

A 76-year-old man was inside.

The group allegedly threatened him, but he was not physically injured, police say.

The same group then allegedly tried to enter a property on Taylor Street in Murgon but were interrupted by an alarm, before breaking into a home in Thorn Street through an open window, stealing some things and breaking into the car in the garage.

They are then alleged to have bashed a 25-year-old man in a bedroom of the house, who was later treated for face and arm injuries, before later breaking into another property in Leitch Street through a rear garage door.

They found a set of car keys inside the house and drove off in a 2015 grey Mazda 2 that had been parked in the garage, police say.

Early the following morning, they stole a grey Kia Cerato by prying the keys out of an 88-year-old man’s hands at Boat Mountain Road, police allege.

The man was not physically hurt, but his car was dumped on a dirt track near Cemetery Road, Cherbourg, a few hours later and extensively damaged by fire.

Police alleged the spree began on Thursday, May 29, when a groups of boys tried to break into a property on Douglas Street in Murgon.

On that same morning, police allege at least two of the teens ambushed a staff member at the Ny-Ku Byun Elders Village in Cherbourg, threatening him with a knife and grabbing him by the neck before stealing a 2007 Toyota Camry.

The car was later found on Old Wondai Road, also extensively damaged by fire.

A 15-year-old boy has been charged with nine offences, including two counts of car theft and trespass, unlicensed driving, attempted break and enter, armed robbery in company, armed robbery in company with personal violence and enter premises and commit indictable offence.

He will face Maroochydore Children’s Court.

A 13-year-old boy has been charged with nine offences, including four counts of stealing a car, two counts of arson and stealing and one count of armed robbery.

He has appeared in Brisbane Children’s Court.

Another 13-year-old boy is charged with two counts of car theft, break and enter, arson of a motor vehicle and stealing.

He will face Murgon Children’s Court.

Police alleged a fourth young boy broke into an education centre on Fisher Street on Monday, June 2, believed to be the Gundoo Day Care Centre, however nothing was stolen.

The 13-year-old has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of armed robbery, burglary, enter premises to commit and trespass.

He is due to face Maroochydore Children’s Court on June 5.

Originally published as Four teens charged over armed robbery, arson in South Burnett