Cairns overnight media wrap, Thursday August 31
Weapons and vehicle offences, Coen: A 28-year-old Whyanbeel man was charged early yesterday morning following a bizarre series of incidents near the Cape York township of Coen on the previous afternoon.
At around 2pm on Tuesday afternoon, Coen police attempted to intercept a ute travelling southbound on the Peninsula Development Road just south of the town.
The driver allegedly failed to stop and sped through a 23 kilometre section of roadworks contrary to the directions of traffic controllers.
It will be further alleged the ute continued to speed through the worksite, and workers warned each other of the situation via the two-way radio system in operation at the site.
A grader operator was working on a culvert as part of the roadworks and was blocking the roadway, causing the driver of the utility to have to stop. It will be further alleged he then produced a rifle from the rear seat of the vehicle.
The grader operator observed the rifle and quickly moved his machine, at which point the ute again sped off. It then travelled about 60 metres before colliding with a road roller.
The road workers were then able to detain the driver and police arrived a short time later, taking the man into custody.
He has been charged with a total of seven offences, comprising one count each of failing to stop a motor vehicle, going armed so as to cause fear, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, driving an unregistered vehicle, driving an uninsured vehicle, using a registration plate belonging to another vehicle and unlawful possession of a weapon.
The man is scheduled to reappear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on September 18.
Burglary and vehicle theft charges, Woree: A 23-year-old Manunda man was charged yesterday following investigations into the theft of a vehicle from an Anderson Road address.
It will be alleged the man had been at the address visiting a friend on Monday night. It will be further alleged that whilst his friend was in the toilet at around 9pm, the man took a set of car keys before stealing his host’s motor vehicle and leaving the area.
The incident was reported and police spoke with the man at his Manoora residence just before 1pm yesterday.
He was arrested and charged with one count each of burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle and is expected to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court later this morning.
The car was subsequently located parked in Pease Street yesterday afternoon at around 5pm in good condition.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Source: Cairns Crime Alert
