Teen to face court after caravan with family still in it allegedly stolen at Hughenden

A young man has been charged with five counts of deprivation of liberty after he allegedly stole a car and caravan with a terrified family still in it. FULL DETAILS

The remains of a family's campsite after their car, and attached caravan, was allegedly stolen from the Allen Terry Caravan Park in Hughenden.

A young man has been charged with five counts of deprivation of liberty after he allegedly stole a car and caravan with a terrified family still in it.

Police said they had charged a man following investigations into a car and caravan theft from the Allen Terry Caravan Park in Hughenden on Monday, August 19.

This publication previously revealed a family with three young children, who were sleeping in, were terrified when their car and van was allegedly taken.

It is alleged at approximately 9.10pm, a family were inside their caravan when they heard their car start and the caravan began to move.

The family were able to exit the caravan as it was driven off by the offender, with both vehicles later located by police.

Following investigations, the allegedly offender, an 18-year-old Hughenden man, was found on Wednesday, August 28, at a Hughenden residence where he was arrested and taken into custody.

The remains of a family's campsite after their car, and attached caravan, was allegedly stolen.

He has been charged with multiple offences including five counts of deprivation of liberty, two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and one count each of enter dwelling and commit, unlawful use of motor vehicle and driving disqualified.

He has been denied bail and is due to appear before Townsville Magistrates Court on Thursday, August 29.

Investigations remain ongoing with detectives appealing for anyone with information to contact police.

Police earlier revealed the family reported their keys had been stolen from the caravan, prompting them to reattach the caravan to their car as a precaution.

The family's campsite at the Allen Terry Caravan Park in Hughenden.

Local camper Donna Reading and her partner Peter McKee witnessed the alleged drama.

“There was a loud noise, and banging and bashing. I ran out … and saw this car towing a caravan, and people running after it.”

She said the caravan still had its stabilisers and jockey wheel down, leaving behind a trail of damage as it was dragged through the park.

The car and caravan eventually stopped on the main road just outside the caravan park, and the family managed to escape before it drove off again.

Ms Reading found the family near the reception and began rendering first aid for the minor cuts and grazes they sustained.

Originally published as Teen to face court after caravan with family still in it allegedly stolen at Hughenden