A Heatley boy is facing 20 charges, after he was allegedly linked to two stolen cars.
The vehicles were stolen from the Burdekin on October 31, but were stopped using tyre deflation devices on the Bruce Highway at Alligator Creek.
Forensic examinations revealed that the boy had been in both vehicles that night.
Investigations are continuing in relation to other persons of interest.
He was arrested at Boyes Court, Heatley at the weekend, after trying to flee police custody.
The 16-year-old was charged with twenty offences including six counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, five counts of enter dwelling and commit, one count each of receive tainted property, fraud, stealing, attempted enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence, attempted enter dwelling with intent, attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle, wilful damage, obstruct police.
He will be appearing in the Townsville Children’s Court later this month.