Alex James Rankin, 22, stole four cars, drove two dangerously
A car thief put the lives of other motorists and police at risk when he drove various stolen cars dangerously across Rockhampton during a six-week crime spree. It won’t be long before he’s released from custody again.
Police & Courts
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A car thief put the lives of other motorists and police at risk as he drove various stolen cars dangerously across Rockhampton during a six-week crime spree.
Alex James Rankin, 22, pleaded guilty on September 17 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to four unlawful use of a motor vehicle charges, two dangerous operation of a motor vehicle charges, enter premises and commit indictable offence, drive while State Penalty Enforcement Registry suspended, two charges of possessing a dangerous drug, drive unlicensed having never held a licence, failing to stop a car at police direction, fleeing the scene of a crash, drive unlicensed, possess a drug utensil and stealing fuel.
Police prosecutor Brandy Butler said Rankin’s conduct was indicative of someone who had little regard for other road users and it put other people’s lives at risk.
“He is someone who actively avoided police detection,” she said.
“His conduct has put lives of the community at risk, and police lives by virtue of dangerous operation charge and a bundle of offending which occurred on May 20.”
Ms Butler said Rankin crashed into two parked cars to avoid being caught while police approached the driver’s side door of the car he was driving and attempted to open it.
“The defendant then travelled at speed through multiple lanes of traffic and ran a red light,” she said.
“It is fortunate, and not through any actions of the defendant, that no one was serious injured.”
Officer in Charge of the Criminal Investigation branch Detective Senior Sergeant Luke Peachey told the media in May that the incidents started on May 16 and included the alleged theft of a silver Audi Q7 on May 20 which was used in a number of property offences.
The vehicle was travelling along Queen Elizabeth Drive southbound, towards Rockhampton City, around 11am and appeared to intend to travel left over the Fitzroy Bridge.
However, the Audi suddenly cut across three lanes of traffic into the right lane to turn onto Bridge Street.
An unmarked police vehicle was travelling along the road at the time, sighted the stolen vehicle and activated police lights and sirens.
The Audi then stopped at a red light.
Police officers exited their car and approached the driver and passenger side doors of the stolen vehicle when it suddenly reversed, hitting the car behind and then accelerating forward at speed, smashing into the car in front.
The impact pushed the car in front forward enough for the stolen vehicle to turn left onto Lakes Creek Road and run a red traffic light in the process.
Police followed with lights and sirens, however the vehicle evaded officers and drove down Lakes Creek Road dangerously and at speed, before turning right onto Goodsall Street where it was last sighted.
The Audi was later found on fire at 2pm on Hopper Road at Gracemere.
Defence lawyer Brendan Gimbert said his client, a father of a four year old, started using drugs four years ago after the break up with his child’s mother.
He said Rankin started using marijuana and moved on to meth.
Mr Gimbert said his client planned to move away from Rockhampton once released from prison and help his father on a rural property.
Magistrate Jason Schubert said jail had so far failed deterred Rankin from offending.
Rankin had been convicted of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, burglary, stealing and stalking in the past two years.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people come before me with plans but as soon as they are released, these plans evaporate because they are hard to follow,” Mr Schubert said.
He sentenced Rankin to an 18-month prison term head sentence, declared 118 days presentence custody and set parole release for October 21, 2021.
Rankin was also disqualified from driving for four years and one month.
Rankin’s offences by date:
Between April 8-21, unlawful use of a motor vehicle
Between April 18-21, unlawful use of a second motor vehicle
April 29 – steal fuel from Caltex in Gracemere
May 2 – drive while license was State Penalty Enforcement Registry suspended
May 2 – dangerous operation of a motor vehicle on Broadhurst Drive, Gracemere
May 10 – unlawful use of a third motor vehicle and drive unlicensed having never held a license
May 18-21 – unlawful use of a fourth motor vehicle
May 20 – dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, Bridge Street, fail to stope a car at police direction, drive unlicensed and fleeing the scene of a crash on Queen Elizabeth Drive
May 21 – enter premises and stealing tools, keys and cash
May 22 – possess marijuana, possess methamphetamines, possess a syringe
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