Police track car thieves on the move from Ingham to Townsville

Police are on the hunt for a gang of thieves who went on a crime spree early this morning, stealing two vehicles from Ingham and dumping them in Townsville just hours later.

A grey Toyota GR86 and a red Holden Commodore were stolen from a Conroy Street residence in Ingham between 2.30am and 5.30am. Pictures: Facebook

Police are on the hunt for a gang of thieves who went on a crime spree early Friday morning, stealing two vehicles from Ingham and dumping them in Townsville just hours later.

A grey Toyota GR86 and a red Holden Commodore were stolen from a Conroy Street residence in Ingham between 2.30am and 5.30am.

Initial investigations suggest the thieves broke into the home, took the car keys, and made off with the vehicles, which were later found abandoned in Townsville.

The red Holden was discovered damaged on Enterprise Street in Bohle at around 8am, and just 15 minutes later, the Toyota was found dumped on Bamford Lane in Kirwan.

Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto weighed in on the rising crime, saying the small town of Ingham is fed up.

“What an absolute joke this has become,” he said.

“The numbers might look good on paper if you fudge them the right way, but out here, we’re living the reality. It doesn’t lessen the impact on the victims at all.”

Nick Dametto in front of the Townsville court house

The latest police data shows that car thefts in Ingham have increased by about 54 per cent over the last year, with 17 cars stolen between January and September compared to just 11 over the same period in 2023.

Police are urging anyone with information in relation to the latest car thefts in Ingham or dashcam and CCTV footage to come forward.

Originally published as Police track car thieves on the move from Ingham to Townsville