Police charge 11 children with 59 offences over the Easter weekend

Eleven children as young as 12 have been charged with 59 offences between them after they went on an alleged crime spree over the Easter long weekend. The children arrested and charged with burglary, stealing and trespassing offences range in age from 12 to 16 and their alleged offences were committed on April 14 and 15. In total, 59 charged were laid, with police saying the three main offences were burglaries, stealing and stealing motor vehicles. Police say several children were arrested in a stolen car following a police pursuit through Rangeway, Karloo and Utakarra. Out of the 11 children charged, six were remanded in custody over the weekend. They were due to face Geraldton Children’s Court on Tuesday. Geraldton Police acting operations manager Sgt Reece Marjoram said several offenders were caught running away from the scene. “A few others were caught as a result of inquiries and a chase with police,” Sgt Marjoram said. “They are known to police and the result of their offending on the weekend they were caught straight away.” Sgt Marjoram said the children were from the Geraldton area. He said crime around Geraldton had settled down since the children were arrested, which had “made a difference”. Six of the offenders were due to face court in Geraldton on Tuesday, April 19. Police said the remaining five offenders who were charged will appear in court at a later date. Police have asked for witnesses of offences of this nature to not hesitate to report them to Geraldton police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.