Kid crims’ highway road trip between Townsville and Cairns ended by stinger deployment

The three alleged juvenile car thieves road tripping between Townsville and Cairns in a stolen vehicle were brought to a screeching halt by police.

• Four ‘youths’ have been arrested after they dumped an allegedly stolen car near Bushland Beach
• Townsville Police arrest 100+ people over five weeks of relentless property crime

STINGERS were deployed on the Bruce Highway to end a crime spree where three juveniles allegedly drove a stolen vehicle from Townsville to Cairns and almost all the way back again.

A Townsville Police spokesman said a Toyota Landcruiser was stolen from North Ward at some stage on Friday night or Saturday morning,

The vehicle was driven to Cairns where it was alleged to have been involved in a fuel theft at White Rock service station shortly after 11.30am on Saturday.

Around midday, officers patrolling the Bruce Highway observed the same Toyota Landcruiser travelling south and notified police near Ingham.

A tyre deflation device was successfully deployed, disabling the vehicle 1km north of the Herbert River Bridge at 2.15pm.

Three juveniles – two females and one male – fled into nearby cane fields where they were taken into custody without incident.

A 17-year-old Railway Estate boy has been charged and denied police bail.

He is due to appear in the Townsville Children’s Court charged with armed robbery, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving without a licence.

A 15-year-old Wulguru girl has been charged with armed robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

She is due to appear in the Townsville Children’s Court.

A 16-year-old Belgian Gardens girl will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act.

Their capture took the total number of juveniles arrested over the weekend to seven after four youths were taken into custody on Saturday afternoon after they allegedly dumping a stolen car at Bushland Beach.

A spokeswoman for Queensland Police said members of the public reported seeing a stolen vehicle being driven erratically around at 12.45pm.

Several people were spotted jumped out of the car running ran across a football field.

It was then alleged the four stole another vehicle which they drove towards Burdell before being arrested by police.

The spokeswoman confirmed that four females, aged 13 to 15-years-old, were taken into custody at 1pm.

Due to the absence of criminal history of the four suspects, police exercised their discretion in releasing them with a caution into the care of their parents or guardians – under the youth justice act.

They continue to assist police with their inquiries.

Originally published as Kid crims’ highway road trip between Townsville and Cairns ended by stinger deployment