Youths film dangerous antics from stolen car, ram police van in Townsville

Reckless youths were spotted hanging out the window of a stolen car, filming their dangerous antics on the road, shortly before ramming a police van during a pursuit in Townsville.WATCH THE VIDEO.

• Fears raised as stolen cars used as ‘weapons’

Reckless youths were spotted hanging out the window of a stolen car, filming their dangerous antics on the road, shortly before ramming a police van during a pursuit in Townsville.

A stolen Toyota LandCruiser and Lexus were stung by a tyre deflation device in Aitkenvale about 4.45am on Sunday.

Police said the Lexus stopped and the occupants ran from the scene, while the Toyota LandCruiser continued driving.

It will be alleged the Toyota was driven dangerously through parkland and on a footpath.

Witnesses reported seeing one of the juveniles hanging out of the stolen car, filming as they continued to cause mayhem on the road, at times swerving at other motorists and driving on the wrong side of the road.

Police began a pursuit of the Toyota, which was driving at low speed due to damage sustained from the tyre deflation device, at about 4.53am.

It will be alleged they collided with a marked police van near the McDonald’s on Alfred Street, Aitkenvale at 5.18am.

The Toyota was abandoned a short distance away and three youths ran from the scene.

Police called in the dog squad and located a 14-year-old girl on Kent Street, Gulliver.

She was taken into custody and charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle (use in the night and in company).

Her bail was refused, and she is expected to appear before Townsville Children’s Court on Monday.

The police vehicle sustained damage to the front bumper and bonnet.

Investigations remain ongoing.

A damaged police vehicle at the McDonald’s car park in Aitkenvale on August 6. Picture: Natasha Emeck

This incident was the latest in a series of similar incidents, sparking fears that stolen vehicles were now being used as weapons against cops on the frontline of Townsville’s crime crisis.

Two police cars were repeatedly rammed and chased by a convoy of three stolen vehicles across Townsville on March 6 and footage emerged of an officer clinging to the bonnet of a stolen car during an attempted arrest at the Townsville Golf Course on March 9.

Police have been contacted for comment.

More to come.

Originally published as Youths film dangerous antics from stolen car, ram police van in Townsville