Townsville youth crime: Railway Estate pensioner’s car stolen by youths in broad daylight

In the blink of an eye, three cowardly youths nabbed a Townsville pensioner’s car as he turned his back on them — the next day, it was nothing but a burnt-out mess.

The pensioner's stolen Commodore was found burnt out in Hermit Park on Thursday. Picture: Facebook

A 76-year-old pensioner from Railway Estate has been left reeling after three opportunistic youths stole his car right out from under his nose.

The shocking incident unfolded around 10.30am on Wednesday, as the elderly man was closing the front gate of his home along Third Street.

The victim had just driven his light grey Commodore out of his driveway and stepped out of the car to shut the gate when three youths walking past seized the opportunity.

Without a moment’s hesitation, they jumped into the car and sped off, leaving the stunned man helpless and stranded.

The man’s sister took to social media to express her outrage over the brazen theft.

“He drove out of his driveway, and got out of his car to shut the gate, and three youths walking past jumped in and drove off,” she wrote.

The stolen vehicle was found at 2.30am the next day, burnt out in the vacant lot behind Officeworks on Brodie St, Hermit Park — a notorious dumping ground for stolen cars in Townsville.

Investigations are continuing, anyone with information or relevant vision is urged to contact police. No arrests have been made yet.

This latest crime comes on the heels of another incident over the weekend, where a stolen car convoy ended in flames in Kelso.

Police ended up arresting four teenagers, including one who was just 13 years old.

Originally published as Townsville youth crime: Railway Estate pensioner’s car stolen by youths in broad daylight