Townsville crime: Three cars set alight in an hour as cops hunt ‘hoodie-wearing’ suspects

A gang of car thieves remain on the run after a ‘shameless’ crime spree where three cars were set on fire in under an hour. Here’s where cops think they live.

A gang of car thieves remain on the run after a ‘shameless’ crime spree where three cars were set on fire in under an hour.

Inspector Jason Shepherd said police believe the same group of about three offenders are responsible for a recent spate of car thefts and fires across Townsville.

The crime spree began when a stolen grey Hyundai i30 was dumped and set ablaze on the Dalrymple Service Rd in Heatley at about 4.30am on Wednesday.

Residents in the area reported seeing three offenders ‘wearing hoodies’ in the area who fled the scene in a stolen blue Subaru Liberty, QLD registration 991ZLY.

Acting Inspector Jason Shepherd has revealed more details about a series of car fires on Wednesday. Picture: Leighton Smith

That Subaru was found on fire at the intersection of Murray and Victoria St, North Ward, at 4.55am, and then a stolen blue MG was found on fire on Seventeenth St, Railway Estate, at about 5.20am.

Fire crews responding to a vehicle fire in North Ward on Wednesday morning. Picture: Natasha Emeck

There were also reports of a stolen red Commodore driving erratically around Townsville around midday on Wednesday.

Inspector Sheppard said it was possible the same group of offenders could have taken another car.

He said detectives from the Property Crime Unit were canvassing witnesses, obtaining CCTV and following up on some potential suspects.

“The Subaru Liberty was also stolen from an address in Railway Estate, so it’s possible these suspects live in the Railway Estate area,” he said.

“While the blue MG was reported stolen from Mount Louisa on Tuesday, and the i30 was stolen from Kirwan on Monday.”

Originally published as Townsville crime: Three cars set alight in an hour as cops hunt ‘hoodie-wearing’ suspects