General News
27 January, 2026
‘We’re under seige’
FOUR teenage boys have been arrested and charged following a break-and-enter at the Yorkeys Knob Ten06 restaurant, as community concern grows over repeat offending and business security in the region.
Sarah Hinchcliffe, co-owner of Ten06, said her husband Andy arrived at the venue at about 7.15am on the day of the most recent break-in to find “glass all over the floor”, tables turned over and concrete thrown through one of the main doors.
“A big concrete-like slab had been thrown through,” she said.
Ms Hinchcliffe said the offenders stole the restaurant’s entire spirit collection, taking 20 bottles of alcohol. No cash was taken from the premises.
The break-in followed another incident three weeks earlier, leaving the business struggling to recover during an already difficult period.
“I feel like we’re getting targeted. It’s hurtful, it’s sad, but it’s really, you put so much work into something, and it’s just, everything just gets taken away,” Ms Hinchcliffe said.
A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said four teenage boys were arrested on 15 January following investigations into a break and enter at a Sims Esplanade business in the early hours of Thursday morning, 15 January.
It is alleged the boys, aged 14, 15, 16 and 17, smashed the glass frontage of the business before entering and stealing a quantity of alcohol.
Police further allege the boys were involved with stolen vehicles and other break-and-enter offences over the previous few days.
A total of 16 charges have been laid, including nine counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, four counts of entering a dwelling and three counts of entering premises.
The 15 and 17-year-old boys were denied bail and were due to appear before the Cairns Children’s Court on 16 January. The 14 and 16-year-old boys were due to appear before the Cairns Children’s Court on 21 January.
The arrests follow strong community support for the restaurant, with co-owner Andy Hinchcliffe saying customers had lined up to show their solidarity.
“The queues have just been out the door and people are constantly coming in, just specifically to show support,” he said.
“It’s just good that the community comes together like this.”
Concerns extend beyond Ten06, with other Cairns-based business operators reporting repeated break-ins since COVID-19, causing thousands of dollars in damage for minimal theft.
Namie Phrakhodi, whose family operates Sandy Abi Thai Massage in the Piccones Village shopping centre in Manoora, said she had experienced repeated break-ins since COVID-19, often occurring during cyclones, leaving her facing repair costs and questioning whether the business can continue.
“When a cyclone comes, we can’t sleep. We are like, ‘Oh, something’s going to happen,’ and we can’t do anything about it,” she said. “We have to think about letting the business go, because it’s not getting any busier in that area.”
