Bulimba carjacking: Police to appeal suspect’s release

Police will appeal the bailing of a teen suspect in a terrifying alleged carjacking, as the local community bands together.

• Editor’s view: Laughing in face of justice

A Brisbane suburb is banding together to fight back against criminals invading their community, as police reveal they will appeal against the decision to release a teen charged over the alleged armed carjacking of a local.

The 17-year-old was bailed on Wednesday and took to social media, posting Snapchat posts mocking police.

Now the Bulimba community and the victim of the carjacking will meet to figure out how to keep their streets safe.

Angelo Justus was reversing out of his driveway on Sunday when two people approached his car wearing balaclavas and holding an axe and a shovel.

Police will allege the two teens threatened Mr Justus and stole his Audi A3.

A mocking social media post after the 17-year-old accused was released on bail

Mr Justus is one of the many residents now wanting the system to change.

“Unfortunately the system is such that we are trying to protect the youth at the expense of law-abiding citizens’ safety which is unreal,” he said.

“Police are doing the best they can – they were great on that day – but it’s clearly a broken justice system if someone can get bail in a day.”

Mr Justus said that after the teen gloated about his release, his family was more anxious.

“We were slowly trying to get back to a normal life and the amount of anxiety it created last evening looking at the visuals just horrified me,” he said.

“We were more upset yesterday than the day it happened. We were hoping this was all over and police take over from here, but last night was shocking.”

The community will meet at Bulimba Golf Course next Wednesday to support each other.

“As a body, let’s form our own security for those that can – my husband wakes at every sound; I know lots of single mums that are scared,” the event organiser wrote on social media.

Angelo Justus was the victim of the carjacking on Sunday afternoon. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“It is our basic right … to feel safe in our home – so let’s do that for each other.

Bulimba’s Amanda Redford said it was nice that the community was coming together, and great to see neighbourhoods chipping in for security.

“But we are already paying mortgages and cost of living is already extremely expensive, why should we fund private security companies?” she said.

The 17-year-old youth was charged with one count each of armed robbery, possess dangerous drugs and two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

An 18-year-old was charged on Thursday with eight counts, including car theft and armed robbery.

South Brisbane District Officer Acting Chief Superintendent Andrew Pilotto said police had started the process of an appeal.