Mum robbed at knifepoint during walk with kids in Aitkenvale

A manhunt is under way for an armed teen car thief wearing a red bandana who police believe is responsible for targeting two mums with young kids in separate incidents across Townsville.

Police were called around 8.30am after a woman was allegedly confronted by a man with a knife who demanded her handbag.

A manhunt is under way for an armed teen car thief wearing a red bandana who police believe is responsible for targeting two mums with young kids in separate incidents across Townsville.

Police are investigating after a 22-year-old mum with two young children were allegedly confronted by a man with a knife who stole her handbag on Casey St, Aitkenvale about 8.30am on Wednesday.

He left the scene in a stolen Ford Falcon Sedan with her handbag containing a sum of money.

About 40 minutes later another mum was targeted by a man with a knife in the Genesis Fitness car park on Hervey Range Rd, Thuringowa Central.

The woman had been trying to get their child out of the back of her black Toyota Kluger when he approached her and stole the car.

Detective Inspector Jason Shepherd said they believe the same 19-year-old man — described as a First Nations male wearing a red bandana — is responsible for both incidents, along with a string of car thefts where residents were threatened with a machete on Sunday.

He said a 78-year-old man in South Townsville had his car stolen around 7.40am on Sunday and two Hyundai vehicles were stolen from an address in Burdell about 8.45am the same day.

Police arrested a 22-year-old man on Tuesday in relation to the incidents but are still looking for his alleged 19-year-old co-offender.

“It does make you really angry,” Insp Shepherd said.

“The type of victims they choose … you can tell they’re trying to choose victims they think they’re going to be able to stand over … it’s cowardly.”

Police investigations continue.

Originally published as Mum robbed at knifepoint during walk with kids in Aitkenvale