Gold Coast crime: Police allege five people aged between 12-19 arrested after fleeing POLAIR helicopter in stolen Kia Sportage
A man has recounted the terrifying moment his ute was destroyed when it was allegedly struck by a stolen SUV occupied by a group including youths as young as 12. WATCH THE VIDEO
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A DRIVER has recounted the terrifying moment his ute was destroyed when it was allegedly struck by a stolen SUV occupied by a group including youths as young as 12.
Tate James looked shaky as he spoke about the dramatic collision at the intersection of Reedy Creek Rd and Leda Dr at Burleigh Heads about 11.40pm on Friday.
In footage and photos captured after the Kia Sportage SUV allegedly struck the Ford Falcon ute, two youths stick a middle finger up as they sit in the back of a police car.
Five males aged between 12 and 19 were inside the SUV, according to Queensland Police.
Mr James alleged the SUV “stopped at a set of lights” and police were not far behind.
“As I’ve come through the intersection they’ve accelerated into me and hit me,” he claimed.
“I’ve closed my eyes on impact because I got scared and not long after I got out of the car.
“I tried to open my door, my door wouldn’t open. I climbed out of my passenger side.
“I saw five or six … kids running. I was going to chase them, but there was a lot.”
Mr James said police arrived within a minute. He was left to reflect on the mess left behind.
“I’ve got a few scratches and bruises, but that’s about it,” he said.
“They’re just lucky that there was lots of them there and I didn’t chase them. I’ve owned the car for one week. Literally, today was one week.
“I’ve got no job and that was the last of my money – gutted.”
Mr James urged young offenders running rampant on the Coast to “pull your head in”.
“People like me that are trying their best in life are getting ruined by kids like you … ,” he said.
“I can guarantee in this case nothing’s going to come my way ... That’s just the system.”
Police stated officers were on routine patrols when they spotted the allegedly stolen SUV from Broadbeach Waters on Brisbane Rd at Arundel about 11pm on Friday.
It’s alleged a POLAIR helicopter tracked the SUV south along the Pacific Motorway (M1) before the car took the Reedy Creek exit and collided with Mr James’ ute a short time later.
The Dog Squad apprehended the group shortly after, according to police.
Charges had not been laid on Saturday afternoon and investigations were continuing.
Police: Chopper, Dog Squad pursue youths in stolen car
Juveniles as young as 12 have been taken into custody after allegedly crashing a stolen car into another vehicle and fleeing from a police chopper and the Dog Squad on the Gold Coast.
It comes after a spate of similar alleged youth crime incidents in the city.
Queensland Police officers on routine patrols spotted the alleged stolen Kia Sportage on Brisbane Rd at Arundel about 11pm on Friday.
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The car was allegedly occupied by five males aged between 12 and 19.
A POLAIR helicopter tracked the Kia travelling south along the Pacific Motorway (M1) before it took the Reedy Creek exit, according to police.
Soon after, the Kia struck another vehicle while turning at the intersection of Reedy Creek Rd and Leda Dr at Burleigh about 11.40pm, it’s alleged.
The occupants of the Kia fled after the crash, but were apprehended by the Dog Squad a short time later, a police spokesman said.
Charges had not been laid and investigations were ongoing on Saturday morning.
The Kia was allegedly stolen from a Broadbeach Waters address on Friday morning.
Queensland Ambulance stated seven patients were assessed after the two-vehicle crash.
Paramedics took one male teenager to Gold Coast University Hospital as a precaution.
Know more? Phone Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Four teens charged after allegedly being tracked by police helicopter in stolen BMW
April 9: Police have charged four teenagers after a BMW sedan was allegedly stolen, tracked by a POLAIR helicopter and ended up stuck on a median strip.
It comes after a trio of youths and an 18-year-old woman were charged after allegedly being tracked by a police helicopter while in a stolen Range Rover on Wednesday.
Officers believe the BMW was stolen from a Victoria Point address on Thursday afternoon.
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It’s alleged the stolen blue 2016 BMW 320D was spotted by police in Southport just after 5pm before it was tracked by a helicopter through Molendinar.
“The vehicle was followed to Currumburra Road in Ashmore, where it became stuck on a median strip after attempting to avoid a tyre deflation device,” a police statement read.
“The four occupants were arrested at the scene and taken to the Southport Watchhouse without incident. The car was stolen from a Victoria Point address earlier the same afternoon.”
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A 13-year-old boy has been charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, driving of a motor vehicle without having ever held a licence, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property and possession of a pipe.
A 16-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy have been charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
An 18-year-old woman was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, driving a motor vehicle without a licence disqualified by a court, burglary and commit indictable offence and receiving tainted property.
The woman is due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court today, while the younger teenagers were expected to appear before the Southport Children’s Court this month.
Know more? Phone Policelink on 131 444.
Teens tracked by chopper in stolen Range Rover: Police
Thursday, April 8: POLICE allege a trio of youths and an 18-year-old woman were tracked by a POLAIR helicopter while in a stolen Range Rover before the vehicle ran over a tyre deflation device.
The woman, a 13-year-old girl and two boys aged 13 and 14 were allegedly inside the luxury SUV when routine patrols by Gold Coast police came across the vehicle on Geraldton Dr at Varsity Lakes just before 8pm on Wednesday.
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“With the assistance of POLAIR, police began tracking the vehicle and successfully deployed a tyre deflation device on Cassowary Dr at Burleigh Waters,” a police statement read.
“The vehicle continued into The Promenade at Robina where the group abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.
“All four were arrested after a short foot pursuit, just before 9pm.”
Police allege the car was stolen from a Benowa residence over the Easter long weekend, on Saturday, April 3.
The 18-year-old Labrador woman has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
She was granted police bail to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on April 21.
The 13-year-old girl and the 13 and 14-year-old boys, were also charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and will be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.
Cop cars smashed in ‘stolen car’ joy ride
Sunday, April 4: Three people have been charged after allegedly taking a stolen car on a joy ride from Ipswich to the Gold Coast.
The Subaru Liberty, allegedly stolen from Ipswich in March, was first spotted by Polair on the Logan Motorway at Carole Park about 8pm Saturday and tracked from above as it travelled towards the Glitter Strip.
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Police said the vehicle took the Tallebudgera Creek Rd exit just before 9.30pm and travelled through residential streets in Elanora, Currumbin and Tugun before stingers were used in an attempt to stop it.
“Police will allege the vehicle continued driving as the tyres deflated, colliding with three police vehicles,” police said in a statement.
Three people were arrested at a Burleigh Heads intersection around 10pm.
A 21-year-old Northgate man was charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, disqualified driving, false plates attached, fraud and stealing alternatively receiving stolen property.
A 24-year-old Northgate woman was charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle, possession of a dangerous drug, and fail to dispose of a syringe.
The pair is due to appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on April 5.
A 16-year-old Northgate girl was charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and is due to appear in Southport Children’s Court.
Police are seeking information and dashcam footage from anyone who witnessed the car.
Policelink 131 444.
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