Car thefts, assaults and carjackings across South Burnett

South Burnett police are on the hunt for a group of youths after a spate of increasingly disturbing crimes in the region, including a brazen car theft where a woman was threatened with a gun, and a violent carjacking in Wondai.

South Burnett police are on the hunt for a group of carjackers after a spate of crime in the region, including brazen car thefts and a terrifying, violent carjacking in Wondai.

South Burnett police are investigating a string of break-ins, assaults and thefts, including a car stolen from a residence by an armed intruder who demanded the keys, and a terrifying group carjacking in Wondai.

On Tuesday, December 12, about 9.30pm, police were called to a home in Wright Way, Murgon after an armed man allegedly approached a woman and demanded her car keys.

After she complied, he took off in her grey Ford Ranger.

About 5.30am the next day, police were called to a home on Mccord St in Wondai where a group of people travelling in the same stolen Ford Ranger had approached another woman who had been sitting in her family SUV.

One member of the group threatened her with an object, and smashed in the driver’s side window.

She managed to escape the Hyundai Tucson as at least one of the offenders got inside and both stolen vehicles then drove off in the same direction.

Police have described the group as “young” and have urged anyone with information to contact policelink by calling 131 444.

Multiple crimes in Murgon including break-ins, assault and theft have been reported over the past few weeks. Picture: supplied

The carjackings come only weeks after Taskforce Guardian, a unit of detectives who specialise in youth crime, were deployed to multiple South Burnett towns, including Murgon.

Fifteen juveniles were arrested during that operation and charged with more than 100 offences.

South Burnett Patrol Group Inspector Scott Stahlhut said the focus of that operation was on the impact the offending had on the community.

“While our work can contribute towards better outcomes for young people through intervention, deterrence, and prevention strategies to reduce offending – our single focus here has been on the impact that this offending had on the victims of crime and also community safety,” Insp Stahlhut said.

The alleged offences include multiple car thefts, robbery, burglary and stealing.

In a separate incident on December 5, a 12 year old boy was arrested and charged over multiple break-ins and the assault of a woman in Murgon.

He was charged with multiple offences including enter dwelling with intent, enter dwelling and commit, attempted robbery and stealing.

The case was mentioned in Murgon Children’s Court on Wednesday, December 6, with police opposing bail.