Alleged crims still on the loose after two hour chopper chase
A doctor formerly employed at a notorious youth detention centre is among the latest car theft victims, as kids involved avoided arrest despite a two-hour pursuit involving the police helicopter.
Cairns
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A doctor formerly employed at a notorious youth detention centre is among the latest car theft victims, as kids involved avoided arrest despite a two-hour pursuit involving the police helicopter.
According to the Rescue 510 helicopter log, the aircraft took off from Cairns Airport at 8.55am on Monday and returned to base 1 hour and 56 minutes later.
The track map shows the pursuit began around Edmonton before tracking north to Mount Sheridan, then through Woree, Westcourt, Manunda, Manoora and Whitfield.
Police stated the helicopter was tracking a Blue Ford Ranger stolen from Manunda soon after 10am on Monday.
“Operations are ongoing within the Cairns area including the use of Rescue 510. Anyone with information is urged to contact police,” a Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said.
Owner of the Ford Ranger, that on Wednesday was still missing, Dr Aathi Selva said it was a “targeted operation”.
The GP who recently moved to Cairns from the Northern Territory said his pride and joy was taken from Birch St at 3.30am.
“They walked in, found the keys and walked out, they didn’t take anything else,” he said.
“They have managed to twist the lock on the front door and that is how they got access into the house and after they got in, they got the key and the house key and that let them get out the gate.
“They came and examined the vehicle the night before, the only reason I know this is the dash cam has a motion sensor in it.
“It was almost like a targeted operation, and they had the cheek to throw the dash cam out of the car.”
Dr Selva said having worked as a GP at the notorious Don Dale Detention Centre in the Northern Territory said he was aware of the complexity of the Australian youth crime epidemic but the politicising and leveraging fear within the community was shortsighted.
“It has become an election issue and one side is saying lock them up,” he said.
“I am stuck within the system that we have got, could the system have done more and is it worth $4000 to keep the helicopter in the air, it’s a hard one.
“I worked in a youth detention centre as my day job as a doctor and I realise it is very complex.
“(We need to ask) how are we going to offer a better alternative and what is more valuable than turning to crime and can we give them a reason to not turn to crime.
“I am happy to be involved in (anything to help the kids) and quite happy to contribute my skill set.”
Dr Selva’s car appears to have evaded police on Monday and a number of youths riding in the car are understood to be involved in an attempted break in Mirriwinni before a resident raised the alarm and the alleged offenders ran off.
“I screamed like I never have screamed before and they ran,” a Mirriwinni resident said.
“Take care everybody and report straight to police if you see a strange car in your street and look out for your neighbours.”
In an unrelated arrest, two teenage boys were arrested late on Tuesday night after the alleged stolen vehicle they were in was stopped by tyre spikes on the Bruce Highway near Wrights Creek.
Police allege the Mazda CX-3 had been stolen from an Innisfail residence on August 19 and had been spotted driving around Yarrabah about 10.30pm on August 20.
A 15-year-old White Rock boy arrested on the highway was also involved in breaking into two Trinity Beach residences on August 15, police allege. While a 16-year-old Yarrabah boy was charged with one count of unlawful use of motor vehicle and is due to appear before Cairns Childrens Court on August 28.
Police are currently investigating the alleged vehicle theft and attempted break-ins.
In March the state government committed to financing a dedicated police helicopter for Cairns however according to police the Polair chopper getting airborne over Cairns was not expected “months”.
Because the QGAir helicopter was not a police asset, the cost of running the aircraft could not be provided by QPS however the Opposition has claimed it costs about $4000 an hour to keep the helicopter in the air, not including crew costs.
It has been claimed that it costs about $15,000 each time the helicopter goes up, taking into account maintenance and all other costs.
The Cairns-based QGAir rescue helicopter is primarily used for medical emergencies but is available for police on request to if needed if not required elsewhere.
As of late last week there had been 26 cars stolen in the Cairns area this month following a busy July for police when a total of 61 vehicles were ripped off.
The running stolen car tally so far this year sits at 417.
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