42-year-old woman assaulted and car stolen at shopping centre on Hervey Range Road, Thuringowa Central

UPDATE: A 13-year-old girl is among four youths set to face court today, charged with a string of offences tied to a brutal robbery where a woman was struck in the head with a tool outside Willows.

Townsville CIB Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Flanders

UPDATE: A 13-year-old girl is among four youths set to face court today, charged with a string of offences tied to a brutal robbery that left a woman battered outside Willows shopping centre.

The four youths — aged 11, 12, 13, and 16 — have been hit with ten charges following the shocking incident on Monday night, August 19.

At around 10pm, the 42-year-old woman was allegedly ambushed by the group outside the Thuringowa Central shopping centre.

The teens allegedly demanded her car keys before one of them struck her in the head with a tool, knocking her to the ground.

The teenagers allegedly stole the woman’s vehicle, a Holden Colorado utility, which was intercepted by police in Annandale on Tuesday morning, August 20.

Six teenagers were taken into police custody nearby a short time later.

A 16-year-old Townsville boy has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and driving without a licence.

A 13-year-old Townsville girl and a 12-year-old Townsville girl both face charges of armed robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

An 11-year-old Townsville boy has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, attempted entry with intent, and two counts of breach of bail.

All four have been denied bail and are expected to appear at the Townsville Children’s Court today, Wednesday, August 21.

Meanwhile, a 13-year-old Townsville boy and a 14-year-old Townsville girl are continuing to assist police with their investigations.

Police are urging witnesses or anyone with relevant footage to come forward as the investigation continues.

EARLIER: Six youths — some as young as 11 — have been taken into custody, and three remain outstanding after a woman was attacked and had her ute stolen outside Willows Shopping Centre.

Townsville CIB Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Tony Flanders said police were still tracking down a few more youths believed to be involved in a brazen robbery of a 42-year-old woman around 10pm on Monday night.

She had been loading equipment into her red Holden Colorado dual cab ute, which was parked outside the shopping centre in Thuringowa Central, when she was confronted by a group of unknown individuals.

The group demanded her keys, and when she resisted, they assaulted her before fleeing the scene in her vehicle.

The stolen ute was later travelling in a convoy with an orange Ford Ranger dual cab ute.

Senior Sergeant Flanders said on Tuesday morning, they had taken six people into custody in relation to the incident who were assisting them with inquiries.

Three youths had been charged in relation to the robbery, including a 14-year-old girl, a 13-year-old girl, and a 12-year-old girl.

He said police are still seeking three males in connection to the robbery.

Three others, a 16-year-old boy, a 13-year-old boy and an 11-year-old boy, who were in the stolen vehicle when it was located, have been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Detective Sergeant Flanders said police are appealing for witnesses to come forward, particularly anyone with vision of the utes involved.

“We are always conducting high visibility patrols in that area,” he said.

“Some (of the offenders) are known to police, others weren’t but we have identifications on all of them now.

“We encourage people to look after their own personal safety and avoid areas where there are no CCTV cameras or not well lit. Unfortunately, sometimes these terrible offences happen, and we encourage people to contact the police.”

The 42-year-old woman from Kirwan sustained minor injuries during the attack and was taken to Townsville University Hospital for treatment.

If you have information, please contact Policelink or report anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as 42-year-old woman assaulted and car stolen at shopping centre on Hervey Range Road, Thuringowa Central