Crims wreak New Year’s havoc on city’s streets
The new year has started badly with criminals continuing to cause havoc on suburban streets in stolen cars.
Townsville
Don't miss out on the headlines from Townsville. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE new year has started badly with criminals continuing to cause havoc on suburban streets in stolen cars.
Three four-wheel-drives were stolen over a 48 hour period with one ending up torched, causing thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
Townsville Police district duty officer Senior Sergeant Ian Wilkie said a white 1993 Toyota LandCruiser found alight in Mackley St, Garbutt, was stolen from a shed in Reward Cres, Bohle.
RELATED>>>
• Townsville Police praise revellers’ behaviour
• Townsville crime: From gunshots, to alleged corruption to youth offending
• Police data reveals kids behind at least six property offences per day in 2018/19
The ute was stolen between 3pm and 8pm on Wednesday.
“There was a vehicle observed overnight driving erratically and earlier yesterday morning,” Sen-Sgt Wilkie said.
“At that time the vehicle hadn’t been reported as stolen (and) subsequently a relative was located. The owner is overseas at the moment.”
Firefighters extinguished the car fire about 5.50am yesterday. Sen-Sgt Wilkie said police were also searching for a white 2017 Toyota Prado stolen from Kirwan and a white 2017 Nissan Navara taken from Mount Louisa.
“One was sighted with about six juveniles inside,” he said. He could not specify if the suspects were known to police.
“It’s a terrible way to start the year. But it’s not just car theft, those events aren’t just happening in isolation,” he said. “There is usually a break and enter into someone’s residence or business that’s attached to that as well and then that’s compounded usually by the offender driving erratically or evading police, so it’s a cost to the whole community.”
Jodie Cottam who lives at the Mount Louisa address, said thieves broke into her house and took thousands of dollars’ worth of possessions, including a laptop, iPad, camera and wallet before making an escape in the Nissan Navara.
The Prado and Navara were spotted driving along Golf Links Drive toward Hervey Range Rd in Kirwan at speed about 4.30am yesterday.
Sen-Sgt Wilkie said thieves stealing cars for joy rides were “ruining other people’s lives through fear”.
“The term joy ride is something I detest. It’s not a joy ride, it’s a result of criminal action that’s affecting people’s lives and livelihoods and putting other people’s lives at risk,” he said. The thieves remained on the loose.
Originally published as Crims wreak New Year’s havoc on city’s streets