Specialist police have charged 17 people, including seven teenagers with multiple property offences less than 24 hours after the launch of a major multi-level operation to reduce crime across Queensland.
The first officers deployed as part of Operation Whiskey Legion hit the streets in both Logan and Ipswich yesterday April 2, targeting high-risk property crime offenders causing harm in the community.
The operation saw local police team up with additional, specialist officers from multiple units including Highway Patrol, Crime and Intelligence Command, Rail Squad, Water Police, Dog Squad and Crime Prevention.
Officers are targeting a range of crime issues, including vehicle theft and property crime, robbery, assault and Domestic and Family Violence (DFV).
So far,13 people have been charged in Ipswich while four offenders have been charged in Logan.
Police are also engaging with local businesses and members of the community during additional patrols and crime prevention activities.
A 17-year-old Moores Pocket boy was charged with a string of offences following an alleged armed robbery in Ipswich.
It will be alleged at approximately 12pm, April 2, the boy threatened and assaulted a 55-year-old woman while she was waiting inside a parked BMW along Darling Street East, before stealing the vehicle.
Following extensive investigations associated with Operation Whiskey Legion, the boy was taken into police custody around 3pm at a Lyrebird Lane address in Bellbird Park.
He was charged with one count each of armed robbery, possessing dangerous drugs, and obstruct police officer.
Another boy, aged 16, was also taken into police custody at the property and charged over a number of alleged break ins and stolen vehicles offences across the Ipswich District dating back to February 1.
He has been charged with two counts each of unlawful use of motor vehicle, and enter dwelling and commit, and one count each of enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence, enter premises and commit indictable offence, enter dwelling with intent in company, and attempted enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence.
Both boys were remanded in custody and were due to appear at Ipswich Childrens Court today, April 3.
A 28-year-old Ipswich man was also arrested at the Lyrebird Lane address.
He was charged with possess utensils or pipes that had been used, and issued with a Notice to Appear at Ipswich Magistrates Court on May 2.
A 13-year-old Eagleby boy was charged over six alleged break ins across Logan and the Gold Coast, and the theft of a vehicle from a Wagner Street property on March 21.
It is alleged the boy smashed the windows to gain entry to multiple businesses before stealing cash from inside.
He was charged with six counts of enter premise and commit, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of attempted enter premise and commit and possession of tainted property.
He was refused bail and will appear in the Beenleigh Childrens Court.
Operation Whiskey Legion will continue targeting high-risk offenders in Ipswich and Logan over the coming weeks before future deployments across regional Queensland.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
