13-year-old and 14-year-old in custody after Townsville Shopping Centre ram raid

Two youths have been charged after an allegedly stolen ute crashed into a shopping centre, as police continue to investigate other ram raids across the city.

A picture taken by a member of the public at 3am of the stolen car abandoned in the ITP shopfront

Two youths are in custody after a ram raid at Townsville Shopping Centre at the weekend.

A 14-year-old from Oonoonba and a 13-year-old from Palm Island appeared in court on Monday, charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous driving and burglary from several different businesses.

Stolen car rams into Townsville Shopping Centre, damaging the window of accounting firm ITP on January 11.

The incident, which occurred at 2.40am on January 11, saw a Ford Ranger – alleged to be stolen from a Currajong address days before – be driven into a glass wall at Townsville Shopping Centre before the driver and passenger fled on foot.

The city has witnessed a series of ram raids, which saw extensive damage to several businesses over the past two weeks.

Four businesses were impacted on January 6 during ram raids involving a stolen Toyota Prado.

The same vehicle was then caught again on CCTV on January 8 smashing into several shops for three break and enters.

A business was damaged on Ingham Road with tobacco products stolen, while an IT business on Flinders Street was also damaged with cash, a mobile phone and a laptop stolen. Another business on Flinders Street was also impacted.

A vehicle was used to smash the front door of Timmsey's Tech on Flinders Street early January 8.

Townsville District Officer Chief Superintendent Mr Graeme Paine said police have suspects for the incidents of January 6 and 8, and were actively trying to locate them.

“Ram raids are an issue that impact the community because it’s not just a burglary, it’s a burglary where the damage that is impacted on a small business is often very visible and very expensive,” he said.

“We want to be very responsive to the needs of the community because it does have an impact.”

Police are calling for public assistance and investigations are ongoing following the ram raids on January 6 and 8 and anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Originally published as 13-year-old and 14-year-old in custody after Townsville Shopping Centre ram raid