Officers from the Cairns Property Crime Unit have charged five people following an incident involving stolen vehicles in Cairns on 18 April.

Police will allege a silver Chery Tiggo stolen from a Windarra Street property that morning, was observed driving dangerously in the Woree area.

At 10.20pm, police successfully deployed a tyre deflation device, and the Tiggo came to a stop on Murray Street.

It will be alleged several occupants fled the scene on foot and four people were taken into custody a short time later with assistance from Polair and Police Dog Duke.

It will be further alleged a stolen Hyundai Santa Fe was also involved and travelled with the Tiggo for a period during the incident.

The Santa Fe came to a stop at Earlville after police successfully deployed a tyre deflation device at 9.47pm, resulting in the arrest of a 16-year-old Westcourt boy.

He was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and obstruct police officer.

He was refused bail to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court today, 20 April.

A 13-year-old Mooroobool boy has been charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. He is due to appear before the Cairns Childrens Court today, 20 April.

A 15-year-old Manunda boy has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and is due to appear before the Cairns Childrens Court today, 20 April.

Two teenage girls, aged 15 and 16, have each been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and are due to appear before the Cairns Childrens Court on 22 April.

Investigations are ongoing.

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0.00 – 0.34: POLAIR vision of the vehicles allegedly driving dangerously around Woree.
0.34 – 1.02: A 13-year-old Mooroobool boy was arrested and charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. He is due to appear before the Cairns Childrens Court today, 20 April.
1.02 – end: A 16-year-old Westcourt boy was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and obstruct police officer. He was refused bail to appear in the Cairns Childrens Court today, 20 April.

Operation Yankee Forge is a six-month, district-led, statewide initiative targeting high-harm and high-volume offences, including unlawful use of motor vehicles, unlawful entry and robbery.

The operation will enhance policing activities across Queensland to reduce victim numbers and strengthen community safety.

Police regions, supported by specialist squads, will undertake coordinated disruption activities across the state. Police will target high-harm offenders and work closely with partner agencies to ensure offenders are held accountable. With a strong focus on crime prevention, police will be highly visible as they prevent, disrupt and investigate offending, with particular emphasis on unlawful use, robbery and unlawful entry.

The operation will be locally led and centrally coordinated, leveraging the knowledge and experience of officers who know their communities best.

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.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

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