Five teenagers have been charged with more than 20 offences following an alleged stolen car rampage in Cairns on Wednesday. The group, including an 18-year-old and four boys aged 15 to 17, is accused of stealing three cars and driving dangerously through several suburbs, including during morning peak hour traffic.
Police tracked the vehicles for several hours using helicopters from Cairns and Townsville before deploying tyre spikes to stop one car around 3pm. Four boys were arrested with the help of the dog squad, while the 18-year-old was taken into custody later that day.
In court on Thursday, a 17-year-old boy pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and was sentenced to nine months' probation. The magistrate described the incident as a 'huge escalation' in offending but noted it was 'out of character' for the boy, who had two prior similar charges.
Another 17-year-old, already on 12 months' probation for similar offences, pleaded guilty to five charges including two stealing offences. His bail was refused due to an unacceptable risk of reoffending, and his sentencing was adjourned to June 23. A 16-year-old pleaded guilty to three charges and was remanded in custody for sentencing next month.
A 15-year-old accused of driving the vehicles had his matter adjourned until next month. Michael Misi, 18, was remanded in custody to face court again in July. District Superintendent Mick Searle said about 60 officers were involved in the 12-hour operation, which received over 130 calls from the public.
Searle defended the decision not to actively pursue the vehicles, stating that chases often result in crashes or dangerous situations. He noted that the erratic driving posed a risk but that police actions ended without injuries. Police continue to investigate potential additional suspects.
