Victoria Stone-Meadows

Port Douglas’ top cop has reissued warnings for people to secure their houses after the arrest of a 17-year-old who committed several break-ins and burglaries in the area.

Officers from the Cairns Property Crime Squad on Sunday charged a 17-year-old Bungalow boy with a total of 26 property-related offences.

The break-ins and burglaries were committed across several locations including 17 in Craglie and Port Douglas, as well as burglaries in Mooroobool, Innisfail, and Mirriwinni.

Port Douglas Police Sergeant, Damian Meadows, said the arrest was the work of tireless efforts by the Property Crime Squad.

“The Property Crime Squad are working tirelessly to reduce the impact these offenders are having thought the region and will continue to do so,” he said.

“These operations by the police in Cairns are never-ending and it is just a matter of time before they put all the offenders before the courts.”

Police allege that on 5 September, the boy stole a vehicle from a house in Bungalow before driving the vehicle to Port Douglas during the evening of 6 September. 

They alleged that the boy met up with a group of people and committed the series of burglaries in the area.

Sergeant Meadows said most of the break-ins occurred at properties where the offenders had easy access to unlocked houses and cars.

“Most of the properties had no signs of forced entry, and most people had left insecure car keys and valuable possessions in common positions,” he said.

“It’s a risk versus reward crime for these offenders and because we are so laid back and casual, we present a soft underbelly for them.

“We need to be mindful that we are not that far from where they regularly operate and home security is paramount. Putting valuables and car keys in a secure place is a simple step we can take to prevent this from happening.

“The stuff that was taken in most cases was cash and while they did take other property most of it was dumped shortly after.”

During one of the burglaries, a camera bag containing equipment worth about $5,000 was stolen but was found dumped not far from where it was taken.

“They are after stuff they can utilise quickly and some things are too hard to get rid of quickly,” Sergeant Meadows said.

Police also allege that on 27 September a dwelling on Beatrice Street, Moorabool, was entered a silver Toyota Corolla was stolen. 

It is alleged the same boy had possession of the vehicle and drove it to Innisfail.

At about 2:00 am on Saturday, the boy approached two homes on Bunda Street, Innisfail, gaining entry to one of them.

The boy could not gain access to the first home and was confronted by an occupant of the second, running away without taking any property.

At about 2:45 am, police allege that the Silver Corolla was used to force entry to a liquor store on Grace Street, Innisfail.

The boy and another youth are alleged to have stolen a quantity of liquor from the store before driving away in the silver Corolla.

Police further allege the boy then entered a home in Mirriwinni and stole a vehicle before driving it away. The silver Corolla was located abandoned on the Bruce Highway nearby.

The boy has been charged with a total of 26 offences including Burglary, unlawful use of motor vehicles, enter premises with intent, enter premises and commit indictable offence, enter dwelling with intent, attempted burglary and receiving tainted property.


If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.