Townsville veteran’s worst fears come to life as stolen ute wrecked in hit-and-run
Disabled veterans in Townsville have been left stranded after TPI’s stolen ute was wrecked by youths who used it to ram an innocent motorist during a brazen hit and run.
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Disabled veterans in Townsville have been left stranded after the Totally and Permanently Permanently Disabled Ex-servicepersons Association’s stolen ute was wrecked by youths who used it to ram an innocent motorist during a brazen hit-and-run.
Police are investigating a hit and run involving a stolen grey Mazda BT-50 in the West End at 10.54pm on Tuesday.
Youths in the Mazda were travelling in convoy with a stolen Toyota Prado down Echlin St when they drove up to a member of the public in a Nissan Patrol.
They exchanged a few words with the male driver, and then the Mazda rammed him from behind and fled the scene.
The stolen vehicle was later found dumped along Stagpole St with extensive frontal damage.
Warren Duscha, president of the Townsville TPI branch, said he was gutted to see the state of the vehicle, which is used by their volunteers to transport veterans to and from hospital appointments.
“It looks like it may have to be written off — which was our worst fear in all this,” he said.
“The money used to buy that car was raised from raffles.”
Mr Duscha copped a barrage of vile abuse from the young offenders when they stole the car from Townsville’s Totally and Permanently Disabled Ex-servicepersons Association office at noon on Tuesday.
One of the youths pulled out an axe when the stolen car was spotted shortly after in Kirwan.
Investigations are ongoing. No charges have been laid at this stage.
‘It’s ours now’: Youths taunt disabled vets after stealing ute
Shameless Townsville youths in a convoy of stolen cars yelled vile abuse as they took a vehicle used to transport disabled veterans to and from hospital.
Queensland Police Service confirmed a marked grey Mazda BT-50 was stolen from Townsville’s Totally and Permanently Disabled Ex-servicepersons Association office on Rooney St, South Townsville, on Tuesday.
QPS said initial investigations suggested that youths in two stolen cars – including a white 4WD – drove to the TPI office in convoy and stole the branded utility vehicle about midday.
Warren Duscha, president of the Townsville TPI branch, said he was there when the incident occurred and copped a barrage of abuse from the group of youths.
“They did a big wheelie after stealing the car, and I yelled out after them, but some of the young girls with them told me: It’s our car now,” he said.
“My heart was beating like hell. These young ones just don’t care any more.
“We use that car to take veterans to the hospital. We’re all volunteers.
“The money used to buy that car was raised from raffles.”
Mr Duscha said when one of their members spotted the stolen car in Kirwan one of the youths pulled out an axe.
“They’d taken the stickers off the side,” he said.
“I think it’ll be a miracle if the car turns up without any damage.”
Liberal Member for Herbert Phil Thompson, who’s also a former army private, was disgusted by the incident.
“The TPI Ex-Servicepersons Association do a fantastic job in supporting veterans and their families,” Mr Thompson said.
“They are all volunteers and put in so many hours helping people, everything they have has either been donated, raised through fundraising or through a grant.
“To have their car stolen is an attack on the veteran community.
“Without their vehicle providing their volunteer service becomes that much more difficult. “These grubs need to be locked up and off our streets”
Investigations are ongoing. No charges have been laid at this stage.
Originally published as Townsville veteran’s worst fears come to life as stolen ute wrecked in hit-and-run
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