A 39-year-old Ningi man has been charged over attempted theft of a power generator that was operating traffic lights at a busy Caboolture intersection on Saturday afternoon.
The incident occurred around 3pm at the intersection of Bribie Island Road and Old Toorbul Point Road, where temporary generators have been powering traffic signals following recent severe weather events in the region.
Photo Credit: Google Maps
A community member alerted police after witnessing someone tampering with and attempting to steal the generator. The suspect reportedly fled in a white ute when disturbed.
Upon arrival, police discovered the chain securing the generator had been cut, resulting in power loss to the traffic lights at this critical Caboolture junction.
Police later attended an address in Ningi where they found a man and a white ute containing bolt cutters. The 39-year-old local man was subsequently charged with attempted stealing and wilful damage.
The accused is scheduled to appear before Caboolture Magistrates Court on April 4.
Acting Chief Superintendent Adam Guild confirmed increased police patrols throughout southeast Queensland during the recovery phase following the severe weather event.
“The Queensland Police Service has zero tolerance for stealing, especially during a disaster,” Guild stated. “As we move into the recovery phase, police will continue to target offenders and hold them responsible for their actions.”
The attempted theft highlights ongoing security concerns for emergency equipment deployed throughout the Caboolture area during post-storm recovery efforts.
Published 8-March-2025
