Recidivist Toowoomba car thief, Brayden Thomas Colin Thurston, jailed

A young man who was caught snooping and breaking into cars on multiple Toowoomba residents’ home security cameras has been jailed, however he will soon be released on parole.

A young man who went on a break and enter crime spree across Toowoomba while driving around in a stolen Mercedes-Benz has been sentenced to a 15 month jail term.

Brayden Thomas Colin Thurston, 22, pleaded guilty to 15 crimes at the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 17.

The court heard Thurston targeted high-value cars and was recently sentenced to a six month probation order in November 2022, after he pleaded guilty to stealing a car.

Police prosecutor Jessica Lynch said that in August 2023, Thurston broke into a number of cars and homes.

The Toowoomba Court House. Toowoomba City police station watchhouse. Picture: Peta McEachern

She said when police caught up with him in September he was found with a number of knives, 1.2g of meth, and 27g of cannabis.

Ms Lynch said officers spotted Thurston in a taxi on September 5, which prompted the young man to jump out of the car and run.

She said a large knife fell from Thurston’s pocket during the foot chase.

Solicitor Hamish Chapman said the father of two’s drug addiction had contributed to the offending, noting he was not on parole at the time and had entered an early guilty plea.

Magistrate Kay Philipson said Thurston was a recidivist offender with a penchant for going around with his ‘mates’ and committing property offences.

Thurston was sentenced to a 15 month jail term and had his licence suspended for two years.

The 42 days he spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served and he will be released on parole on February 5, 2024.

He pleaded guilty to the following charges; attempting to enter a dwelling, attempting to enter a home to commit a crime, driving unlicensed, entering a home with intent, breaking into a home, stealing, receiving stolen car keys, unlawful use of a car, obstructing police, and possessing drugs and knives in public.

Originally published as Recidivist Toowoomba car thief, Brayden Thomas Colin Thurston, jailed