Rescue helicopter used to track Townsville’s car thieves during Operation Antilia

A rescue chopper has been deployed to scour Townsville for those responsible for stealing 12 vehicles in a matter of days.

Townsville police have launched an operation to crack down on car thieves.

A rescue chopper has been deployed to scour Townsville for those responsible for stealing 12 vehicles in a matter of days.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Townsville Police Senior Sergeant Darren Randall confirmed police had launched Operation Antilia to crackdown on stolen vehicle activity and an armed robbery.

The QGAir Rescue Helicopter circled Townsville targeting car thieves on Monday morning. Picture: Flightradar.

He said they had 12 stolen vehicles on their “hot list”, of which, seven had been located and five remained at large.

“There were four (cars that were) very active this morning, operating in tandem with each other,” Sergeant Randall said.

Police officers respond to stolen vehicle getting immobilised in Kirwan. Picture: Naomi Jamieson.

Just before 12pm, he said there was a stolen Toyota RAV4 that was subject to a tyre deflation deployment, with police taking four offenders into custody.

“Those offenders are believed to be linked to an armed robbery at the service station at the BP Wulguru at 7.59am,” he said.

Police capture young offender in Kirwan after stolen vehicle was stingered. Picture: Naomi Jamieson.

Police capture young offender in Kirwan after stolen vehicle was stingered. Picture: Naomi Jamieson.

“They took the property and when they were confronted by the owner they presented some hammers.

“They are assisting police with inquiries with a robbery with violence.”

He said there was also another unlawful entry of a motor vehicle at another service station, at 7.50am – just prior to the robbery.

The QGAir helicopter circled Townsville on Monday tracking car thieves. Picture: Alix Sweeney

Burnt out stolen vehicle located Laucham Rd near dam. Picture: Supplied.

“We’ve located a white Triton ute, a Holden Rodeo ute, and a Ford Ranger has been burnt out this morning, that were believed to have been with that white RAV4 at those incidents,” he said.

“At the moment the helo is still being deployed and we’re actively following or looking for following another five vehicles in the metro area.”

Police were expected to provide further details on the arrests on Monday afternoon.

Originally published as Rescue helicopter used to track Townsville’s car thieves during Operation Antilia