Teenage gang face 300 charges after crime spree across Brisbane and Gatton

A teenage gang responsible for a significant crime wave have been arrested and charged with more than 300 offences.

Police allege the incredible amount of offences were carried out by the group across south-eastern Queensland last month.

Police charged the five teenagers this week following an alleged series of break-and-enters across Brisbane’s south and Gatton over the past month.

It will be alleged on August 29, the five boys were involved in several break-and-enters and attempted breaks in Forest Lake.

They allegedly forced entry into several restaurants and businesses along Forest Lake Boulevard, Grand Avenue and Woogaroo Street, damaging glass and stealing tills.

Three of the boys, the 16-year-old Inala boy, 17-year-old Acacia Ridge boy and 17-year-old Warwick boy, were also allegedly involved in similar break-ins at businesses at Gehrke Road in Plainland on September 4.

It will be alleged the trio were involved in further break-ins at premises on Oxley Station Road in Oxley, several restaurants inside a shopping centre on Beenleigh Road, Sunnybank Hills as well as several businesses on Joseph Banks Avenue and Forest Lake Boulevard in Forest Lake on September 4.

Police will further allege the 16-year-old Inala boy and 17-year-old Warwick boy also smashed glass panels to steal cash and store goods from several businesses on Old College Road, Railway Street, Western Drive in Gatton on September 1.

It will be alleged the other two youths, the 17-year-old Doolandella and 17-year-old Gatton boys, were also involved in a series of break-and-enters in Graceville and Sherwood on August 20, with entry forced and property stolen from multiple businesses on Honour Avenue, Bank Road and Sherwood Road.

The 16-year-old Inala boy and 17-year-old Warwick boy were arrested in Warwick on September 4.

They have been charged with 94 property crime offences each and were due before Toowoomba Children’s Court on September 5.

The 17-year-old Gatton and Doolandella boys were arrested in St George earlier this week on September 2.

The 17-year-old Gatton boy was charged with 43 property crime offences and is due before St George Children’s Court on September 9.

The 17-year-old Doolandella boy was charged with 50 property crime offences and is due to reappear before Brisbane Children’s Court on September 23.

The 17-year-old Acacia Ridge boy was charged with 57 property crime offences and is due before Richlands Children’s Court today, September 6.

Acting Senior Sergeant Justin Suffolk from Acacia Ridge Criminal Investigation Branch said the investigation showcased the exemplary work done by the Centenary Crime team, in conjunction with intelligence and forensic teams, the Tactical Crime Squad in St George and local detectives in Darling Downs.

“Through exceptional investigative work, this multi-skilled team has successfully identified and tracked the youths allegedly responsible for a series of shop breaks across Southeast Queensland earlier this week.

“Their tenacity and rapid response ensured we can bring those alleged to be involved before the courts, and to be held countable for the considerable disruption to businesses and other harm they have caused.”