MULTIPLE arrests have been made by police in relation to a spate of thefts on the hinterland during which hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment was stolen including a five-tonne excavator and high-end GPS systems.
Police had been pursuing multiple leads after work sites, including the Beerburrum to Nambour rail line upgrade and Bells Creek upgrade were targeted in thefts across the weekend of November 5-6 and into the following week.
But police told GC&M News yesterday that a “substantial” amount of that stolen property had been recovered and two people had been arrested and charged with 13 property related offences.
Heavy machinery which was stolen from a Roys Road construction site was also located by police at the same location.
The owner of a five tonne excavator – Ben Spratt from BMS Earthmoving – who had sent out an urgent plea for assistance after their machine was stolen, thanked those who had helped share their plight.
He also thanked Osborne Group, who helped source a replacement digger.
“It was a pretty stressful week, but you just have to carry on and Osbourne Group were really helpful with sourcing a digger so I was able to keep working,” Ben said.
“It was a big relief when I received the call from Police to say that it had been found.
“It needs a bit of work, there’s a bit of damage, but it could have been a lot worse.”
The news will come as a welcome relief to subcontractors, some of who had been told they would not have work on the multimillion-dollar projects for up to six weeks.
Police continue to encourage the public to report any suspicious activity.
A spokesperson for Transport and Main Roads told GC&M News said last week that the department was working with affected contractors.
“We understand the subcontractors who had their equipment stolen have been assisting Queensland Police Service (QPS) with their investigations. These subcontractors were back on site working today,” The spokesman said.
“The site on Steve Irwin Way has remained open and operational. The project team has worked hard to minimise the impact of the loss.
“Our contractor and subcontractors will continue to work closely with QPS.”
It is understood the thieves made their way onto sites wearing hi-vis workwear and driving utes and vans.
BMS Earthworks excavator was recovered after being stolen from a job site last week. Photo: BMS Earthworks Facebook page.