17 People Charged In Local QPS Crackdown

Footage by Queensland Police Service, Mackay

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Operation Diamantina, conducted by local Queensland Police officers, has resulted in 17 people being charged in relation to 89 property crime offences.

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Since October 8th, police have been in full force targeting property offences, including burglary, stealing, unlawful use of motor vehicles, unlawful weapons and dangerous drugs.

On October 16th, at around 5.30am, Mackay police responded to reports of a man allegedly siphoning approximately 1,600 litres of diesel from a cane farm at Te Kowai.

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Officers from Mackay’s Property Crime Task Force, Dog Squad, Tactical Crime Squad and Mackay Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) attended the area, arresting a 30-year-old man a short time later in nearby cane fields.

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The East Mackay man was subsequently charged with 11 offences, including enter premises and commit indictable offence, possess utensils, obstruct police officer, possession of implements used in the commission of an offence, receiving tainted property, stealing and vehicle-related offences.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear before Mackay Magistrates Court on November 18th.

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In a separate incident, between October 9th and 10th, an offender allegedly entered the residence of an 80-year-old woman at Andergrove while the resident was away.

Following targeted investigative enquiries, police arrested a 27-year-old woman and recovered several stolen items, including jewellery and other personal belongings.

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The woman has since been charged with one count each of enter dwelling and commit, and wilful damage. She has been remanded in custody and is due to reappear before Mackay Magistrates Court on November 18th.

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Around midday on October 29th, police responded to reports of a stolen vehicle on Milton Street in Mackay.

Police will allege a 35-year-old man attended the Mackay Showgrounds and stole a black and orange Kubota RTV900.

The vehicle was later located abandoned, with police locating and arresting the man a short time afterwards.

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The 35-year-old man was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and was due to appear before Mackay Magistrates Court on October 30.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Andrew McNamara said the work by Mackay’s Property Crime Task Force was an example of the district’s commitment to pursuing property crime offences.

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“Investigating property crime remains a priority, and I commend the work being undertaken by our Property Crime Task Force,” said Detective Acting Senior Sergeant McNamara.

“The work undertaken by our team in just a few weeks has seen multiple offenders held to account.”

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“Our team also ensured treasured family items were returned, and that vulnerable people will be supported through proactive investigations.”

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“Stolen property will be actively pursued and recovered wherever possible, and we ask the community to continue to report any instances of property offending to police.”

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