Operation Yankee Forge continues to deliver strong results across Ipswich District, with police charging almost 300 offenders with 556 offences as part of the Queensland Police Service’s (QPS’s) ongoing high-visibility crime reduction initiative.
Since its launch in February, police have charged 192 adult offenders with 331 offences and 105 juvenile offenders charged with 225 offences relating to robbery, unlawful entry and unlawful use of motor vehicles.
The operation brings together local officers and specialist police to target high-harm offending, proactively patrol crime hotspots and engage with the community to reduce victimisation and improve community safety.
On 18 July police arrested three juveniles in relation to a series of armed robberies at three fast food stores in Goodna.
Police will allege between 9 and 9.30pm the group entered three separate businesses on Smiths Road threatening staff with violence before stealing food items and fleeing on foot.
The group was located and arrested a short time later after officers tracked them using Safe City CCTV with assistance from the dog squad.
A 17-year-old Springfield Lakes boy, a 16-year-old Leichhardt boy and a 16-year-old Upper Coopers Creek boy have each been charged with two counts of enter premises and commit and one count each of robbery and enter premises with intent to commit.
All three appeared in the Ipswich Childrens Court on 20 July.
On 20 July police arrested a 19-year-old Bundamba man following an investigation into the theft of a 1996 Toyota Landcruiser from a Wulkuraka business on 17 July.
The vehicle was located in nearby bushland on 20 July where it had been extensively damaged by fire.
A 19-year-old Bundamba man has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and arson and is due to appear before the Ipswich Magistrates Court on 12 August.
On 3 August police arrested a 16-year-old boy in relation to an armed robbery of a tool store in Ebbw Vale.
Police will allege around 5pm the boy entered the store on Brisbane Road and stole a socket set.
It will be further alleged as the boy left the store he threatened a male employee with a knife.
The employee was not physically harmed.
A 16-year-old Goodna boy has been charged with one count of robbery and appeared before the Ipswich Childrens Court on 4 August.
Ipswich District Officer Superintendent Ray Vine said the results reflected the QPS’s commitment to targeting crime and holding offenders accountable.
“Operation Yankee Forge is about preventing and disrupting crime while ensuring offenders responsible for causing the greatest harm in our community are identified and brought before the courts,” Superintendent Vine said.
“The community can expect to continue seeing a highly visible police presence across the district as we proactively target robbery, unlawful entry and stolen vehicle offending while working to prevent further victims of crime.”
“Community safety is a shared responsibility. We encourage residents to report suspicious activity, secure their homes and vehicles, and continue working alongside police as we focus on reducing crime and making our communities safer.”
Breakdown on operational results:
Adult offences
- Robbery: 31 charges
- Unlawful entry: 178 charges
- Unlawful use of motor vehicle charges: 122 charges
Juvenile offences
- Robbery: 38 charges
- Unlawful entry: 120 charges
- Unlawful use of motor vehicle: 67 charges
