Acting Detective Inspector Luke Peachey, Officer in Charge of the Rockhampton Criminal Investigation Branch said a team of detectives and intelligence officers were working around the clock to find those responsible for a recent spate of generator thefts in the disaster declared Rockhampton area.

“We are determined to bring to justice those responsible for these irresponsible and dangerous thefts.

“It is beyond belief that in a time when the community of Rockhampton is pulling together, helping each other out, that some people think it is okay to steal much needed and invaluable generators.

“Some of these have been stolen from intersections where the possibility of serious crashes due to traffic lights being out remains high.

“Others have been stolen from businesses and while some of these thefts appear to be opportunistic it would appear that others may be more targeted and organised.

“And while we have a number of positive lines of investigation underway at the moment, and have suspects in our sights, I would still appeal to members of the public to contact Crime Stoppers with any information,” Acting Detective Inspector Peachey said.

The generators, some of which were chained, have been stolen from:

February 21

Intersection of Albert and Bolsover streets, Rockhampton between 9.30 and 10pm

Intersection of Dean and High streets, Berserker between 4pm and 10.45pm

Alexandra and Farm streets, Kawana between 10.30pm and 6am (22/2)

Dean and Kerrigan streets, Frenchville between 10.30pm and 6am (22/2)

Thorzet Road, Koongal between 5.30pm and 6.45am (22/2)

February 22

Dean Street, Frenchville between 10am and 10.45am

Moores Creek and Yaamba Road, Park Avenue around 11.35pm

Farm Street and Norman Road, Norman Gardens between 6pm and 7am (23/2)

February 23

Pillich Street, Kawana between 4am and 6am

Vallis Street, Frenchville at 12.10pm

Bloxsom Street, Koongal between 12.20 and 12.25pm

Florida Crescent, Parkhurst between 12.30 and 6.45pm

Harrow Street, West Rockhampton between 3pm and 7.45pm

Thozet Road, Frenchville between 10pm and 6am (24/2)

Abby Drive, Gracemere between 1am and 6.30am

Diplock Street, Berserker between 4pm and 9am (24/2)

February 24

Thorzet Road, Koongal stolen between 19/2 and 24/4

“This is a low act and we are determined to catch everyone responsible. Police patrols in the area have been increased, and we are targeting areas where generators are located, but I would also ask the community to keep an eye out and to immediately report any suspicious behavior to police,” Acting Detective Inspector Peachey said.

Details of four of the generators stolen during the night of February 21 or in the early hours of February 22 were provided in a media release on February 23 (see below).

The locations of the thefts were the intersections of Albert and Bolsover Street, Dean and High Street, Alexandra and Farm Street and, Dean and Kerrigan Street.

The four generators (similar pictured) are described as orange-coloured 5-8kVA generators fixed into a metal frame with the hire company’s asset number in numerous places including a steel plate welded to the frame.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.