Kids smash into bar and nick charity cash
Fed up business owner pleads with government to act
A group of children who broke into a Cairns bar and stole profits and charity money has the business owner pleading for more to be done to combat youth crime.
Ross Stevens, owner of The Conservatory Bar, on Lake St, said his CCTV caught primary school-aged minors smashing and climbing their way through a small window to steal $300 from the till and an envelope with $500 raised for the Great Wheelbarrow Race, money that was destined for Ruth’s Women’s Shelter.
Mr Stevens said he was sick and tired of asking the government for help.
“They smashed a window and climbed through such a small hole and stole all the money they could find,” he said.
The window the children smashed was 34cm by 23cm.
“There just needs to be something done that isn’t just changing small legislation,” Mr Stevens said.
“I see no solutions in the government’s answers.”
Earlier this year, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced potential new measures to combat youth crime in Queensland.
Legislative changes included breach of bail being applied to children, increasing the maximum penalty for stealing a car from seven to 10 years, plus a more severe penalty of 14 years if the offence was committed at night or involved violence.
Mr Stevens said what he really wanted to see was the people in charge really care about solutions.
“I want to see people that create this legislation come up with actual solutions,” he said.
“We all know this isn’t an isolated event, this is the second time in three weeks someone has tried to break in to one of my businesses.”
Mr Stevens said he knew businesses all over Lake St and throughout the city experienced similar crimes.
“I saw the business across the road with damage, and one other business broken into four times,” he said. “Now I’m stuck.
“I could hide the money, of course, but what happens when they break in next and don’t see any money? What will they steal?”