Boy, 16, charged with 44 offences that police allege were committed across South East Qld

It has been a busy evening for our police as they round up multiple juveniles wanted for dozens of offences.

Toowoomba police have arrested and charged a 16-year-old boy with 44 offences December 2.

Police have charged a 16-year-old boy with 44 offences after he was arrested at a Harristown home, but say it is expected that those charges will grow as police from across South East Queensland work through their case material.

Toowoomba Detective Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said that on Monday afternoon officers from the Darling Downs Tactical Crime Unit located the boy.

“The 16-year-old male from Toowoomba has since been charged by investigators from the Toowoomba Property Crime Unit for a total of 44 property crime-related matters which have (allegedly) occurred in the Toowoomba area in recent weeks,” he said.

“Investigators also believe that detectives from the greater Brisbane area are interested in speaking with the juvenile in coming days in relation to property crime offences.”

His charges include 25 burglary and unlawful entry-type offences, one count of armed robbery and seven counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The boy was held in custody for two nights while police finalised his extra charges from Brisbane. He is expected to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

In an unrelated matter, the Toowoomba Property Crime Unit called in Polair to track three stolen vehicles and three alleged property offenders.

“Police recovered a stolen 2014 Mazda 2 hatchback and three of its occupants after a successful tyre deflation device deployment,” Senior Sergeant McCusker said.

The vehicle had been stolen from a Middle Ridge address on November 30.

Several young people were seen fleeing the vehicle on foot and were pursued by police, including officers from the Dog Squad.

During the arrest, one of the teens, a 16-year-old boy, was mauled by a police dog and suffered bite marks to his lower back.

He was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, unlicensed driving and trespass to which he pleaded guilty when arraigned in the Toowoomba Children’s Court on Tuesday.

His matters were adjourned for sentencing on December 16 and he was remanded in custody.

A 12-year-old boy was charged with trespass, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two counts of breaching bail.

The charges were added to the 13 matters he already had before the court.

He pleaded guilty to his previous 13 matters on Tuesday.

The court was told the child suffered from several mental health issues including autism.

Acting in his defence, solicitor Claire Graham said the boy’s father had an extensive criminal history and his son was acting out in an effort to win his father’s attention.

Ms Graham said her client had stopped taking his medication and replaced it with methamphetamine.

Magistrate Michelle Dooley ordered that the boy be placed on a six-probation order with no conviction recorded.

Finally a 16-year-old girl was also arrested and charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, breaching bail and possessing drug utensils.

The girl’s matters were adjourned to Wednesday with the court hearing the police were likely to add extra charges.