A 42-year-old Port Douglas man has been charged by Police following a stealing investigation in Cairns last week.

A police spokesperson said police will allege the 42-year-old man was staying at a Cairns Hotel when he attended the reception after hours and forcibly removed a metal charity tin from a secured area on 4 January.

“After obtaining CCTV footage of the incident, officers from Port Douglas were able to successfully identify the suspect and commence the investigation," the spokesperson said.

“Police later located and arrested the man who was charged with one count of stealing.”

The man is scheduled to appear at Mossman Magistrates Court on 3 February.