Monique Hudson, Christopher Tremaine charged over Yeppoon carjacking

A woman who allegedly carjacked a 4WD with a baby inside has had her matter heard in court alongside her co-accused while police reveal more about the terrifying ordeal. SEE THE VIDEO

The pair who allegedly jacked a car with a three-month-old baby girl inside at a Yeppoon shopping centre car park have had their matters mentioned in court.

It comes after police alleged a mother was packing the boot of her grey Nissan patrol just after noon on Wednesday when Monique Ericka Hudson, 24, entered the vehicle and drove away with the infant asleep in the back seat.

Ms Hudson, from the Yeppoon suburb of Cobraball, was arrested within four hours of the incident and denied bail, as was another man allegedly in her company, Christopher Travis Lee Tremaine.

Ms Hudson is charged with abduction of a child under 16, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Mr Tremaine, 36, of Mount Morgan, is charged with stealing and unlawful use of a motor vehicle and four breaches of bail.

The alleged offender Monique Ericka Hudson walking up to the vehicle while the mother was packing groceries in the boot.

Both had their matters mentioned before Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Thursday morning but neither were required to appear.

Solicitor Samantha Legrady did not apply for bail for either Ms Hudson or Mr Tremaine.

Hudson’s matters were adjourned to May 31 with the court hearing she was also earlier charged with fail to remain at a place, and unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and two charges each of driving without a licence, failure to appear and stealing.

Mr Tremaine’s matters were adjourned until May 18.

Both were remanded in custody.

The alleged offender Monique Ericka Hudson captured on CCTV at Yeppoon Central before the incident.

While their matters were heard in court, Capricorn Crime Group Detective Acting Inspector Luke Peachey revealed details about the terrifying ordeal and its impacts on the baby’s mother.

“A number of bystanders (had) seen this after the mother’s distressed calls, screaming out,” Inspector Peachey said.

CCTV footage released by police showed the mother packing groceries in the click-and-collect loading bay at Yeppoon Central Woolworths when Ms Hudson allegedly walked up to the vehicle, opened the passenger seat, climbed through to the driver’s side and drove off.

Supermarket goods and baby things are seen flying out from the boot and the mother chases after her vehicle and baby.

“It appears the vehicle stopped and started a number of times, before a 16-year-old boy entered the rear of the vehicle and was able to remove the child,” Inspector Peachey said.

Police will allege Ms Hudson later fled the scene and in doing so, hit the teenage boy as well as a 39-year-old woman who received leg injuries.

The baby was not physically injured in the altercation.

At 4pm on the same afternoon, police found the allegedly stolen Nissan Patrol at Bungundarra where they arrested Ms Hudson and Mr Tremaine.

“Police were able to identify the people involved within 30 minutes,” Inspector Peachey said.

He said it was an opportunistic crime and there was no blame on the mum.

“Like anyone, sleeping three month old in the back, would have only taken a matter of minutes to load the groceries, she wasn’t leaving the car, she was at the back of the car, it is unbelievable this lady has just gone and jumped in the car,” he said.

“I couldn’t even imagine what that poor mother was going through, her vehicle was taken off with her little baby in the back.

“I commend those three people, we will look to make sure they are recognised … The actions they did could have prevented a lot more serious crime … I’d hate to think what would have happened if that person drove off with that baby in the car.”