Police charge Holmview woman, Capalaba man over Beenleigh Christmas Day day carjacking

A second person has been charged over a Christmas Day carjacking incident south of Brisbane, in which two parents lived their “worst nightmare” watching their car being driven away by a stranger – while their children were still inside.

Police have charged a 20-year-old man with kidnapping after he allegedly stole a car with two young children in the back seat on Christmas Day.

The 20-year-old man from Capalaba is due to appear in Beenleigh Magistrates Court today, December 29.

He has been charged with two counts each of kidnapping and assault occasioning bodily harm and one count each of unlawful entry of a motor vehicle and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Police will allege a man approached a Mazda CX-5 at a service station on City Road, Beenleigh, around 4.45pm on December 25.

It is alleged he assaulted a 26-year-old woman and attempted to steal her vehicle.

But he was left empty-handed when a passer-by intervened.

Police will allege the man approached a stationary Nissan Pathfinder at another service station on City Road a short time later and entered the vehicle.

He allegedly drove off with two young children seated in the back, after a 26-year-old female passenger exited the vehicle.

A man allegedly enters the vehicle as the children’s father pumps gas. Picture: 9News

The children’s parents previously told media the mother had been “pushed” out of the car, as the father was fuelling up.

“She (the mother) was really distraught,” the father said.

“She was losing her marbles a bit. I was just in shock more than anything else.”

CCTV footage of the incident shows the mother on the ground screaming “my kids” as the father ran towards the shop.

The parents gathering themselves as the car allegedly speeds off with their children inside. Picture: 9News

A police spokesman confirmed the two children were located unharmed at a service station in Cornubia shortly after.

They said both women sustained minor injuries in the incidents.

Police charged a 20-year-old woman yesterday, December 28, over the same incident.

A 20-year-old woman from Holmview was charged with one count of assault occasioning bodily harm and two counts each of stealing and unlawful entry of vehicle for committing indictable offence used/threatened violence.

She is further charged with three counts each of unlawful entry of a motor vehicle, common assault, possessing a dangerous drug and five counts each of receiving tainted property and fraud.

She is due to appear in the Beenleigh Magistrates Court on January 25, 2024.