Chilling find as gun ammunition and knives left in stolen car dumped at North Ward

The owner of a stolen Toyota LandCruiser says he was shocked by the collection of weapons teen thieves left behind in his car when they ditched it. FIND OUT WHAT THEY HAD.

The stolen Toyota LandCruiser was found dumped at Cleveland Terrace in North Ward on Saturday, February 15.

The owner of a stolen Toyota LandCruiser taken from Townsville’s CBD on Friday night says he was shocked to find out thieves had left gun ammo and a stack of knives inside.

Matt Gordon returned to find his Toyota LandCruiser had been stolen from a carpark on the corner of Flinders Street and Wickham Street, Townsville City, on Friday night, February 14.

He claims a teenage boy was behind the wheel when he happened to spot his stolen car stopped at a set of traffic lights the next morning around 5am.

“They booked it and ran from us,” he said.

“None of this is unusual for Townsville, obviously, but the concerning thing was when my car was located later, they had left behind live ammunition. There were also like four or five knives left in my car.

“It freaks me out to know what these kids are running around with because what if they also have a gun? These kids just don’t care.

“They obviously changed clothes because there was a pile of clothes left in my car as well and also some items that looks like they were stolen from other people.”

He said the car was badly damaged, and the only item stolen from the car had been his large Winchester hunting knife.

“I heard there were a few break-ins recently at Elliot Springs where the kids had a large hunting knife. I can only assume and think that it might be mine,” he said.

Mr Gordon said he believes young car thieves in Townsville have been targeting older models of Toyota LandCruisers.

“They have inferior ignition barrels and quarter windows, making them an easy target and steal within minutes,” he said.

“I’d recommend owners to get themselves a battery isolator or steering lock to keep their cars safe because these kids are targeting them.”

Police confirmed that they located the stolen LandCruiser parked on Cleveland Terrace in North Ward around 7.30am on Saturday, February 15.

During a search of the vehicle, police located ammunition, which they believe does not belong to the owner of the vehicle.

Police are continuing to investigate the ammunition and the theft of the vehicle. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Originally published as Chilling find as gun ammunition and knives left in stolen car dumped at North Ward