Operation Heatshield: Geraldton Police charge nine juveniles accused of committing separate burglaries

Nine juveniles have been charged over four alleged burglaries this week following the return of Operation Heatshield, which is delivering a heightened police presence in the city. Police allege on Thursday, April 20 the owner of Karl Monaghan Photography reported he was unable to find property kept on a table at the Chapman Road store. Acting officer in charge Sen. Sgt Andrew Ramsden said through CCTV, police were able to identify two juvenile suspects who were charged for the alleged lost items and past damage to the property. They are due to appear in Geraldton Children’s Court in May. Sen. Sgt Ramsden also alleged about 10pm on Sunday, April 23 a group of juveniles climbed the roof of a Rangeway takeaway store and gained access through an air conditioner unit. It will be alleged that they stole $150 of confectionary items and drinks. The incident was captured on CCTV camera and police charged three juveniles who will appear in court next month. In a separate incident, police allege Seacrest Shopping Centre in Wandina was targeted by four juveniles on Saturday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 25. Sen. Sgt Ramsden alleged on both occasions that the accused gained entry to the shopping centre through the roof and stole money from the store before exiting through a fire escape. Two juveniles will appear in the Children’s Court, while two were referred to the Juvenile Justice Team. Sen. Sgt Ramsden said Operation Heatshield was focused on targeting repeat offenders in the community with intelligence that would identify and link them to offences. “We are now targeting those people who don’t appear in court so that it provides justice back to the victim by locating those people and bringing them in before the courts,” he said. The operation will run until the end of June.