Stealing charges, Sunshine Coast

Police have successfully concluded an operation on the Sunshine Coast which has resulted in 23 people being charged with a total of 28 charges for a variety offences.

The Property Crime Task Force assisted by the Sunshine Coast Tactical Crime Squad undertook the operation in response to continued thefts from large hardware stores on the Sunshine Coast predominately stores in Maroochydore and Caloundra.

Charges from the operation included stealing, fraud, disqualified driving, unlicensed driving and driving unregistered vehicles. Two vehicles were also impounded as a result of the operation.

Sunshine Coast CIB, Officer in Charge, Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Edwards said the operation had been established after it was identified there was a serious issue around property theft from the hardware stores.

“The results of this operation should act as a deterrent to those who wish to engage in this type of illegal activity,” Detective Senior Sergeant Edwards said.

“An issue was identified in relation to people stealing products from these hardware stores and police with the co-operation of the store owners were able to successfully apprehend a large number of people involved in this activity.”