Teen boys charged after gang go on ‘crime spree’

TWO boys who were allegedly part of a gang that stole two cars in Cairns, drove them to Townsville, then dumped one, stole another and drove home have been charged.

The group is accused of a property crime spree, including stealing fuel and booze, during a five-day bender.

A red Mazda CX-3 was stolen from a Balaclava Rd home in Earlville on September 25 and a Subaru Forester was taken from a Denbeigh St residence in Parramatta Park the following day.

Police alleged the cars were then driven to Townsville in convoy.

The silver Subaru was allegedly used in a fuel drive-off there on September 27 as well as an incident of theft at a Belgian Gardens bottle shop.

About midnight on September 28 a grey Mazda BT-50 was allegedly stolen from a Bushland Beach home and driven back to Cairns with the CX-3.

The Subaru was found dumped in Townsville, before the CX-3 was located on Maitland Rd in Mount Peter.

It is alleged the BT-50 was used for two fuel drive-offs in Westcourt and Brinsmead on Monday night.

Police intercepted the vehicle using a tyre-deflation device about 2am on Tuesday at Woree before it was abandoned near Anderson Rd.

Two boys, a 16-year-old from Manunda and a 17-yearold from Edmonton, have been charged with 10 offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing.

The teenagers have been dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.

Cairns Police said other suspects remained at large and investigations were ongoing.