Townsville Police investigate after teen cyclist targeted by youths in stolen car

A Townsville family say youths in a stolen car attempted to run down their teenage son on his bicycle in a prolonged, terrifying and traumatic ordeal.

Police have urged anyone with information about the alleged dangerous-driving incident to contact police, with reference number QP2300778578.

A Townsville family say youths in a stolen car attempted to run down their teenage son on his bicycle in a prolonged, terrifying and traumatic ordeal.

The family also want to warn parents about the attack.

The father, the owner of a respected Townsville business who wished to remain anonymous, said a group of balaclava-clad kids in a stolen red Subaru targeted his son, a 14-year-old student who was riding his bike in the city centre on Friday, May 5.

“They saw him and thought it would be funny to try and run him over so they went for him”.

The man said his son narrowly avoided being struck by the vehicle, which had mounted and become temporarily stuck on the kerb but came back and “had another go at him”.

He said the teens followed his son back to a nearby shop, pulling up outside before the boss came outside and the youths took off.

“It’s a pretty serious incident, (my son) was pretty shaken up over it.”

The man said the family had filed a complaint at Townsville Police Station on Friday evening.

He said the police were stretched beyond breaking point and had lost control of the streets.

Townsville Court.

Queensland Police Service confirmed that a dangerous driving complaint had been made and investigations were ongoing.

A QPS spokesman said the Subaru was stolen after a break-in at a Cluden property on May 5 and found at Hermit Park at 5.20am on May 6.

He said a 14-year-old West End boy had been charged with eight counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of entering a dwelling, one of robbery and a count of stealing.

“He is also charged with two counts of unlicenced driving and one of arson of a motor vehicle,” he said.

“No one has been charged in relation to the dangerous driving incident and investigations are continuing.

The boy’s mother said people needed to be aware of the incident, which had traumatised her son and left him fearful of riding his bicycle to his high school.

“I want people to know that is the sort of behaviour that’s happening so their children are aware when they are riding to pay attention and to not have headphones in and to ride on paths when paths are available.”

She said there was little doubt her son would have been struck by the vehicle if it wasn’t for his skills and experience as a bike rider and athleticism.

Townsville Courts of Law.

The victim’s grandmother said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was living in a bubble with claims that Queensland had tough juvenile crime laws.

“Whatever these laws are, they are not working, and more innocent people will be killed, or traumatised by these (people),” she said.

“I want the public to know that these (people) are now getting much more brazen and dangerous, driving a stolen car at speed towards a young teenage cyclist is a very serious crime.”

News Corps understands that there have been no other recent similar crimes.

QPS urged anyone with information to contact police.

The reference number is QP2300778578.

Originally published as Townsville Police investigate after teen cyclist targeted by youths in stolen car