SEVERAL Cairns youth are facing a string of serious charges in separate incidents across the region recently.
A 17-year-old girl from Manoora was arrested at a Patula Close residence and charged with grievous bodily harm on 13 February.
Police allege she was involved in a violent assault and robbery of a 69-year-old woman at a Little Pease St address on 10 February, resulting in the victim suffering a broken hip and requiring surgery at Cairns Hospital.
Facing charges of grievous bodily harm, robbery, and possession of dangerous drugs, the teenager will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
A 13-year-old boy from Manoora was implicated in a spree of vandalism affecting various businesses in Cairns city centre.
The incident, which occurred on 5 February, saw multiple establishments defaced with graffiti, allegedly by a group that included the accused.
Further accusations link the boy to additional offences in recent weeks, including break-ins at residential and commercial properties in North Cairns.
He faces charges of wilful damage, stealing, unlawful entry, and attempted break-ins, and is scheduled to appear before Cairns Children’s Court.
In Gordonvale, an 11-year-old boy from Mooroobool was apprehended at a Shang Street residence early on 13 February.
Authorities suspect the boy was involved in a petrol theft from a Gordonvale service station on 12 February, along with other incidents in Manunda and Mooroobool during the preceding week.
He faces charges related to multiple thefts, unlawful vehicle usage, and entering premises without consent, and has been remanded in custody pending an appearance at Cairns Children’s Court.
A vehicle was pursued by law enforcement officers on Murray Street on 13 February after being observed without number plates.
The driver allegedly evaded capture, driving recklessly through a stop sign at Murray and Enmore Streets when police signalled for the vehicle to stop.
Later in the day, the suspect, an 18-year-old male from Parramatta Park, was located at a Charles Street residence and taken into custody.
He faces charges including evasion, driving an unregistered and uninsured vehicle, operating a vehicle without a licence, and disregarding a stop sign, and is scheduled to appear before Cairns Magistrates Court on 28 February.
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