Detectives from the Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) and Property Crime Unit with the assistance of the Cairns Dog Squad and Tactical Crime Squad charged a 15-year-old Gordonvale boy with a total of 36 property related offences yesterday, January 19.
It will be alleged the boy was involved in six armed robberies and multiple break ins and stolen vehicles in the greater Cairns area in the last month.
It is further alleged on January 16, the boy approached a woman on Lake Street, assaulted her and stole her handbag before fleeing on foot.
Police allege the boy also attempted to break into vehicles at a medical facility on Lake Street on January 17, when he threatened a woman with a hammer before assaulting her and stealing her car keys and vehicle.
At around 9:35am on Sunday January 19, it is alleged the boy entered two properties at Oliva Street, Palm Cove.
He allegedly threatened one homeowner with a knife, before stealing a Nissan Navara.
The Cairns POLAIR helicopter tracked the vehicle on the highway, allegedly observing it being driven dangerously around Wangetti and Port Douglas before it was subject to a Tyre Deflation Device south of Ellis Beach, and two occupants fled on foot.
It is further alleged one of the occupants, a 39-year-old Trinity Beach man fled on foot and entered the water at Ellis Beach holding his dog.
He was charged with five counts of breach of a bail condition, and one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and driving of motor vehicle without a drivers licence.
The 15-year-old boy allegedly tried to stop vehicles on the highway before fleeing on foot.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today, January 20.
The 15-year-old Gordonvale boy was arrested on the Captain Cook Highway shortly after.
He was charged with six counts of armed robbery with violence and enter dwelling and commit, three counts each of enter premises and commit and enter premises and commit indictable offence, four counts each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and unlicensed driving, one count each of receiving tainted property, dangerous operation of a vehicle with a prior conviction, common assault, stealing, wilful damage, attempted enter dwelling, attempted unlawful entry of a vehicle, possess dangerous drugs, possess utensils, unlawful possession of weapons category R namely pepper spray and unlawful possession of weapon category M namely a flick knife.
He was refused bail and is due to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court today, January 20.