Gympie, Fraser Coast and Bundaberg car theft crimes on the rise

A 20-year-old who took his girlfriend joyriding in stolen cars and a man who left behind his bank card after fleeing from a stolen vehicle are part of a massive jump in car theft crimes in Gympie, the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg.

A 20-year-old who took his girlfriend joyriding in stolen cars is among a growing number of car thieves being caught across the Wide Bay.

Police data reveals in the past decade unlawful use of a motor vehicle crimes across the Wide Bay Burnett has jumped 63 per cent, from 292 reported crimes in 2012 to 476 in 2021.

The largest increase in the crime rate across a three-year period was reported on the Fraser Coast.

Hervey Bay’s offence rate per 100,000 people almost doubled from 10 in the 2012-2014 period to 19 across 2019-21.

Gympie experienced the second largest crime rate surge in that time.

Its rate of unlawful use offences rose from 9 per 100,000 people to 16 per 100,000.

At Maryborough, the rate rose from 9 to 15, while Bundaberg reported the lowest increase of the Wide Bay’s four major cities with its car theft rate rising 54 per cent, from 11 to 17.

Multiple joy riding offenders have appeared in the Wide Bay’s courts in this past year.

Christopher James Webb, 20, and from Imbil, was caught taking his girlfriend on illegal joyrides in stolen cars.

Webb pleaded guilty in Gympie Magistrates Court in September 2021, to two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Christopher James Webb was caught after taking his girlfriend on joyrides in a stolen car. Photo: Facebook.

He was given nine months probation, and ordered to forfeit the $500 from his good behaviour bond.

In June, in Bundaberg Magistrates Court, Mitchell Kieran Joyce pleaded guilty after stealing a car from a business.

He was caught after another person identified the car as stolen and confronted him.

Joyce fled but let his bank card behind in the car.

He pleaded guilty to a number of crimes including unlawful use of a vehicle, stealing and fare evasion.

Joyce was sentenced to six months’ jail, wholly suspended for two years.

Police said property crime statistics fluctuate for a range of reasons, including population growth and seasonal changes.

There had been a rise so far in the 2021-22 financial year of break and entry crimes and car thefts.

“At this time, it is hard to determine what, if any, impact the Covid-19 pandemic is having, or has had on reported crime although last financial year saw a reduction in property crime offences,” police said.

“We know that at various time and for varying durations people’s habits have changed due to things such as lockdowns, changes in work practices and business restrictions.”

“Most unlawful use of motor vehicle (stolen cars) offences are opportunistic in nature with offenders stealing vehicles: following a break-in and locating keys (which are often in easily found places); or entering an unlocked vehicle; or entering a vehicle stopped or parked, with the engine running and doors unlocked.

“Simple steps such as improving home security, hiding car keys out of sight, ensuring your vehicle is always locked, no matter if you only intend to leave it for a few minutes (eg paying for fuel) and ensuring that when driving all doors are locked, will significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to opportunistic crime.

“Hiding valuables out of sight and parking in well-lit areas or pedestrian thoroughfares will also reduce your risk of someone wanting to break-into your car and steal your possessions.”