Mount Isa Police are continuing to investigate a number of offences including wilful damage and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, conducted by groups of youth offenders over the weekend.
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Photos and videos of the two incidences were shared to social media, which saw an outcry of frustration from local community members.
On Friday March 12 Mount Isa businesses were the victim of a graffiti in the form of spray paint on Rodeo Drive.
Acting Inspector Senior Sergeant Renee Hanrahan said the incident was reported to police and with the assistance of City Safe Footage and footage from businesses a number of offenders were identified.
"We have identified a group of about seven suspects. One juvenile has already been dealt with in relation to this matter," Act Insp Hanrahan said.
"The CCTV has assisted us in confirming the number of people involved, however investigative work has had to be done to identified those persons further."
The second incident on the weekend was in relation to unlawful use of a motor vehicle occurring on Saturday March 13.
It is alleged by police that two girls have entered a locked and secured vehicle at a Simpson Street address, before driving away in it. A boy who was allegedly acting as lookout was then picked up by the girls and the three of them are alleged to have driven around the streets of Mount Isa, making a couple of stops to see friends.
Video of the offenders were shared publically to social media application, Snapchat, before being shared to the Mount Isa Vent Page, and later removed.
Act Insp Hanrahan said "three suspects have been identified to that incident and investigations were continuing."
An 11-year-old Townview boy was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle in relation this matter. He was also charged with wilful damage in relation to an incident at a Rodeo Drive business. He was given a notice to appear in the Mount Children's Court at a later date.
A 15-year-old Healy girl has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and has been dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
Investigations are continuing.
Act Insp Hanrahan encouraged local residents to report crimes directly to police, over social media platforms.
"Sharing with police directly at the time of reporting is the way we want to see it go and we don't want to see it going to social media," she said.
"I can understand why community members would want to share the identity of these offenders, and are outraged, rightly-so, but doing it by promoting it directly to us is a far more effective means.
"We are aware of the cohort of offenders for this sort of behaviour, so it is known to us. If we need to provide footage to the community later in an effort to identify persons, we will.
"However in this instance we wouldn't be sharing it, because they are juveniles who are protected by law as far as their identity."
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
