Three police officers were injured and an unmarked car stolen as nine teenagers faced court in Townsville yesterday (April 7).
Queensland Police said three officers were injured in attacks on them and were taken to Townsville University Hospital for treatment.
Officers had first responded to reports of stolen vehicles being driven within the city area around 11am on Monday, April 6.
The unmarked empty police car was parked alongside the Bruce Highway at Alligator Creek as officers deployed a tyre deflation device to intercept the stolen vehicles.
The officers deflated the tyres of a stolen blue 2020 Ford Ranger and a stolen grey 2019 BMW and the occupants ran away; some jumped into the empty car and drove off.
Officers tracked the vehicle through the city and found it abandoned on Beatrice Street, Aitkenvale, at 12.23pm; no items from the vehicle were reported missing.
A stolen orange 2025 LDV T60 utility was later recovered at Jerona and a stolen white 2021 MG intercepted at Shirbourne.
Qld Police said two offenders were arrested at the Bruce Highway site on Alligator Creek Road around 11.30am and five others at Shirbourne; an eighth person arrested at Shirbourne was released without charge.
Refused bail, seven of the defendants who appeared in Townsville children and magistrates courts yesterday (April 7) were:
An 18-year-old Garbutt man, charged with driving a stolen car, illegal use of an emergency vehicle, entering a dwelling and commit and attempted enter dwelling with intent.
A 17-year-old Garbutt boy, charged with two counts of driving a stolen car, and one count of assault, serious assault on a police officer, obstructing officers, driving while unlicensed, enter dwelling and commit, enter premises with intent to commit indictable offence and attempted enter dwelling with intent.
A 14-year-old Vincent boy, charged with six counts of driving stolen vehicles, two counts each of stealing and attempted enter dwelling, and one count each of obstructing police, enter dwelling and commit, assault occasioning bodily harm, and enter premises and commit.
A 17-year-old South Townsville boy, charged with one count of driving a stolen vehicle.
A 17-year-old Currajong boy, charged with one count of driving a stolen vehicle.
An 18-year-old Kirwan woman, charged with one count of stealing and with driving a stolen vehicle.
A 16-year-old Palm Island boy, charged with two counts of attempted enter dwelling and driving a stolen vehicle.
Yesterday morning, a 15-year-old Vincent boy and 16-year-old Rasmussen boy were also arrested over the theft of the police car.
The Vincent boy was charged with three counts of driving a stolen vehicle.
The Rasmussen boy was charged with three counts of driving a stolen motor vehicle, and one count each of dangerous driving, stealing, enter dwelling and commit, attempted enter dwelling and commit and driving while unlicensed.
Both were refused bail and were due to appear in Townsville Children’s Court today (April 8), Queensland Police said.
POLICE CONTACTS
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24/7 at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
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