Southeast Qld’s worst and safest car theft suburbs revealed

The number of criminals caught for stealing cars has risen dramatically in some southeast Queensland areas. SEE WHERE

Police have been nabbing record numbers of criminals for stealing cars in the past two years in some southeast Queensland hot spots.

A News Corp analysis of police online data revealed one in every three Brisbane postcodes saw an increase in unlawful use of motor vehicle offences last year, compared with 2019.

There were increases in 28 out of 78 postcodes, with 4109 (covering affluent southside suburbs Macgregor and Robertson) topping the list. It recorded 290 offences in the two years to February 1 and a 24.8 per cent jump in 2020 compared with the previous year.

Durack and Inala (4077 postcode) has had 264 offences in the past two years, while surprisingly Clayfield and Hendra (4011 postcode) ranked third with 269 offences in the past two years, up 26 per cent.

Logan’s 4207 postcode, covering suburbs such as Beenleigh and Eagleby, had the most unlawful use offences anywhere in the southeast for the past two years (574) but the numbers last year were down 31 per cent compared with 2019.

Caboolture came in second pace with 506 crimes recorded in the past two years, but also well down on 2019.

The 4305 postcode, which includes East Ipswich, Brassall and Flinders View, had the third most unlawful use offences in the past two years with 490, with last year’s numbers down 27 per cent.

While Moreton, Redlands, Logan and Ipswich had much higher numbers of offences than most Brisbane postcodes, almost all suburbs in those areas were significantly safer last year compared with 2019.

WORST POSTCODES (two year total unlawful use, to Feb 1)

1. 4207 (suburbs include Eagleby, Beenleigh) 574

2. 4510 (Caboolture) 506

3, 4305 (East Ipswich, Brassall, Flinders View) 490

4. 4209 (Pimpama) 385

5. 4127 (Daisy Hill, Priestdale) 383

6. 4300 (Springfield) 324

7. 4109 (Macgregor, Robertson) 290

8. 4118 (Browns Plains, Forestdale) 288

9. 4008 (Pinkenba) 283

10. 4011 (Clayfield, Hendra) 269

SAFEST POSTCODES (Two year total to Feb 1)

1. 4183 (suburbs include Dunwich) 5

2. 4061 (The Gap) 8

3. 4155 (Chandler) 9

4. 4037/4111 (Eatons Hill, Nathan) 10

5. 4512 (Wamuran) 14

6. 4070/4153/4158/4184 (Anstead, Bellbowrie, Moggill, Belmont, Thorneside, Bay islands) 15

Some cases have involved hair-raising and dangerous chases, such as Jesse James Brick, 27, and Ryan Daniel Burr, 24, who were alleged to have led police on a high-speed chase through two spike traps and into oncoming traffic north of Brisbane last year.

Ryan Daniel Burr is alleged to have taken part in a high speed chase.

In many cases criminals have been stealing cars to commit crimes, usually in areas far away from where they live, and then dumping the vehicles at the end of a night, or sometimes days, of lawlessness.

One of the worst cases recently involved Redlands drug addict Justin Michael Sandstrom, 30, who was jailed last month after he stole a car and crashed at high speed into a vehicle full of students at afternoon school pick-up.

Tingalpa man Justin Michael Sandstrom, 30. Picture: Facebook

Crestmead teen burglar Jaydin John Russon, 19, was sentenced to probation in December last year for 25 offences including six burglaries where Porsches and BMWs were pilfered.

Beenleigh Magistrates Court heard Russon had a “taste for luxury cars”.

Crestmead man Jaydin John Russon was sentenced in Beenleigh Magistrates Court for 25 offences, including six burglaries where Porsches, BMWs, expensive bikes, safes and other significant valuables were pilfered. Picture: Alex Treacy

There is an increasing number of luxury car thefts in Brisbane’s wealthier suburbs, with opportunistic thieves attracted like bees to honey from all parts of the southeast.

Residents of Brisbane’s north were warned last month to lock up after a 24-year-old homeless man drove away with not one, but two cars, that had their keys left in the ignition.

Keera Power was sentenced to nine months in prison after he was busted trying to break into a car in Northgate.

And serial offender, Keera Power, got a taste of jail after trying to nick a luxury marque in Northgate.

The trend has sparked such community concern in trendy Paddington and surrounding suburbs that local Labor MP Jonty Bush has organised a public crime forum on February 20.

“We (westsiders) live in a statistically safe part of Brisbane. That said, we can always improve our community safety response part of which is being informed of ways to protect ourselves and our property,’’ Ms Bush said.

“Following local online reports of car and property theft, my office has worked with the Queensland police and other organisations to organise an upcoming community safety forum at: 3 to 4.30pm, Saturday, February 20 and Brisbane West Senior Citizens Centre.

This forum will include a snapshot of local crime trends, how and why crime occurs and importantly – what we can do as individuals and as a community to reduce opportunities for crime to occur.

The forum will be at the Brisbane West Senior Citizens Centre. If you wish to attend you must register (for COVID safety reasons) by calling Ms Bush’s office on 3554 9100 or emailing [e-mail]