Youth Crime Spree Prompts Call for 14-Year-Olds to be Tried as Adults

Strategic Insights -

Youth offending has reached alarming levels in the region, with a 15-year-old boy charged with 39 offences and two younger teenagers facing court for similar crimes. The latest incident involved breaking into a car dealership and causing over $2,000 worth of damage. Police have praised the officers involved in apprehending the trio, but community leaders are calling for stricter measures to be taken.

Key Takeaways:

  • A 15-year-old boy has been charged with 39 offences, including vandalism and theft, and two younger teenagers are due to face court for similar crimes.
  • The trio allegedly broke into Key Motors on Dalrymple Rd, Garbutt, and smashed windows and destroyed the cars before stealing a vehicle.
  • Police located the vehicle at a shopping centre on Saturday and apprehended the alleged thieves.
  • This incident comes after a spate of youth crime across the region earlier this month, where five children, one as young as 12, embarked on an alleged stealing rampage.
  • The Kirwan police station Senior-Sergeant, Gary Eddiehausen, expressed concern that children are committing serious crimes, and leaving a significant amount of damage.
  • Townsville City Council's Community Safety chairman, Dale Last, said that juvenile crime in the area is spiralling out of control and that parents and children need to be held accountable for this behaviour.

Statistics:

  • 39 - number of offences charged against the 15-year-old boy
  • $2,000 - estimated value of damage caused by the trio
  • 1000km - distance of the alleged stealing rampage by five children earlier this month
  • 4 - number of cars stolen by the group of four teenagers who allegedly drove drunk and assaulted police

Sources:

  • Townsville Bulletin article by Natalie Wynne