Elderly woman punched, youths in custody after stolen cars crash in Townsville

Four youths have been taken into custody and an elderly woman has been punched after a shocking crash involving two stolen cars.

Stolen car crash on Dalrymple Rd. Picture: Natasha Emeck

Police have taken four youths into custody after a serious crash involving two stolen cars in Townsville, with one boy punching an 81-year-old woman in the face while attempting to steal another car to flee.

Police were called to a crash involving two stolen vehicles – a Toyota Hilux and Honda Sedan – along Dalrymple Rd, Garbutt, just after 11.30am on Friday.

Townsville District Duty Officer Scot Warrick said an officer in an unmarked vehicle witnessed the dramatic crash unfold.

Stolen car crash in Garbutt. Picture: Natasha Emeck

He said both vehicles had been driving outbound at high speed in convoy.

“The sedan was seen weaving in and out of traffic, it veered onto the median grass strip, weaving between trees,” he said.

“It’s then accelerated from the grass back onto the road and collided with the side of the Toyota Hilux.”

He said a group of about 5-8 youths were then seen getting out of the cars and fleeing on foot towards Bayswater Rd.

Sgt Warrick said there was also another “disturbing” alleged incident where three of the fleeing youths entered a yard of an elderly couple living on Bayswater Rd.

Police established a crime scene at an address on Bayswater Dr where an eldery resident was assaulted. Picture: Natasha Emeck

“They climbed the back stairs of a house, entered the house in which an 81-years-old woman and 85-year-old man were sitting at home on the couch,” he said.

“It’s alleged these three offenders demanded keys to a car. When they were told they weren’t being given, they left that address. But one of those males returned, forced open the back door and punched the 81-year-old lady in the face.”

He said the woman suffered minor injuries but has been left “extremely scared.”

“I have no words to describe that type of behaviour,” he said.

Townsville District Duty Officer Scot Warrick on the scene of a crash involving stolen cars. Picture: Natasha Emeck

Police took four juveniles into custody on Friday, and they were being assessed by paramedics.

Sgt Warrick said some youths were also reported to have fled through the Currajong State School grounds.

But he assured parents that police had secured the school and no threats were made to anyone on school property.

Stolen car crash in Garbutt. Picture: Natasha Emeck

He said the two stolen cars - along with a Toyota Camry - had been driving around in convoy and were involved in a number of dangerous driving incidents reported to police on Friday morning.

“There was one incident involving the Hilux where it’s alleged that a group of pedestrians were harassed and threatened by the occupants of the Hilux,” he said.

“That threat involved a threat to shoot pedestrians.

“At this stage, there’s no evidence to confirm there were any firearms in either of these vehicles, but it was a verbal threat and, nonetheless, a very serious matter.”

Police said the Toyota Hilux was stolen from an address in North Ward two days ago, and the Sedan was stolen from an address in Annandale on Thursday night.

Originally published as Elderly woman punched, youths in custody after stolen cars crash in Townsville