Stolen car: Alleged criminal found in very strange hiding place
Police have revealed the full details behind a low-altitude helicopter search over Cairns after tracking an alleged criminal to a very strange spot. WATCH VIDEO
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
UPDATE: Police have revealed the full details behind yesterday’s low-altitude helicopter search over Cairns after laying charges against an alleged criminal.An 18-year-old Edge Hill man has been charged after allegedly driving dangerously in a stolen vehicle in Cairns on Thursday.
It is alleged the man entered a Selwyn St home in Trinity Park through an open garage on Wednesday, removing a handbag and using car keys to steal a 2021 Mazda CX-8.
The vehicle was allegedly seen driving erratically in several Cairns suburbs the following day.
It was monitored by police while the Cairns-based QGAir Rescue Helicopter tracked it to Ireland Cres in Whitfield, where the driver allegedly abandoned the vehicle and ran to a
Jensen St home.
Officers allegedly found the man hiding in a cupboard.
He was charged with one count each of burglary, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving, driving under the influence of drugs, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, possessing utensils and receiving tainted property.
His bail was opposed, and he was due to face the Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday.
Investigations are ongoing.
EARLIER: Police have tracked down an allegedly stolen car as details emerge over why a helicopter was deployed instead of a new military-grade drone.
Officers have been spotted performing an arrest on Jensen St in Manoora before calling in a tow truck to remove a 2021 Mazda CX-8 from nearby Ireland Cres.
The vehicle was the focus of a sustained low-altitude search by the Rescue 510 helicopter over inner and southern Cairns suburbs on Wednesday morning.
The use of the helicopter came as a surprise to some residents following speculation new military-grade drones could be added to the Cairns police force’s arsenal as soon as this week.
It has now emerged there will likely be a three-month wait until a 12-month drone trial comes online.
The Cairns Post understands the state government is still deciding which model of drone to purchase from its shortlist.
It must also await for an export licence from the United States since the state-of-the-art technology is military-grade.
The entire process is expected to take about three months.
Speaking earlier this week, Cairns MP Michael Healy said anything that supported the efforts of police in the Far North was to be welcomed.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the efforts of Cairns police day in and day out and I am very proud to be part of a government that backs our police with the latest technologies,” he said.
Residents across the city’s inner and southern suburbs reported sightings of the Rescue 510 helicopters circling over their homes on Thursday morning.
Police have now revealed the reason behind the low-altitude loop – and, predictably, a stolen car was involved.
Officers are on the hunt for dark grey-blue 2021 Mazda CX-8 bearing Queensland registration 690-BS7.
The vehicle was reported stolen from Trinity Beach on Wednesday.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police immediately and quote reference QP2200324644.
Car theft figures hit a peak last month with the city set to surpass an all-time record if the trajectory continued for the rest of 2022.
Based on January figures the city could be on track for an annual car theft tally of more than 1400 stolen vehicles, easily surpassing a previous record of 782 cars set in 2021.
Last month 3.9 cars were stolen on average every day in Cairns between Gordonvale and the Northern Beaches.
The city was shocked by the tragic death of 14-year-old Bradley Smith earlier this month after he was killed in an alleged stolen car crash that left five other teens in hospital.
Police charged one boy, aged 14, with manslaughter and dangerous driving charges in the aftermath of a fatal crash.
More Coverage
Originally published as Stolen car: Alleged criminal found in very strange hiding place
Video captures kids cracking home security in under 30 seconds
A video showing kid crims busting through the side door of a Cairns home in less than 30 seconds has revealed the vulnerability of security screens.
Read more
Win a Cape York trip of a lifetime during Sawfish Sighting Week
Tropical Far North waters are a haven for four of the world’s five species of sawfish and citizen scientists are needed to help find out how many of the critically endangered are left in the wild.
Read more