Townsville crime: Youths flee as $80k car left to sink in Ross River

A bewildered North Ward resident woke up to find a group of youths had dumped his $80,000 work ute into the Ross River this morning.

North Ward resident Joe Norris at the South Townsville boat ramp where his car was dumped by youths into the Ross River. Picture: Natasha Emeck

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A bewildered North Ward resident woke up to find a group of youths had dumped his $80,000 work ute into the Ross River on Thursday.

Police said witnesses reported seeing “a number of youths” pushing a stolen grey Ford Ranger Raptor into the Ross River at the South Townsville boat ramp at 2.57am.

Marine Safety Queensland has been notified, and recreational boaties are being advised to advise to avoid using Pontoon C, where the car was dumped until it’s been removed.

A stolen car being pulled out of the Ross River, near the South Townsville boat ramp. Picture: Supplied

The ute was fully submerged when its owner Joe Norris arrived at the boat ramp at sunrise.

He said it had been stolen from his home in North Ward on Tuesday evening.

“It’s insured, but it’s more a sense of violation that people think they can just take stuff,” he said.

“To be honest it’s only a matter of time in Townsville, isn’t it?

“It’s up there with going through a cyclone, having your car stolen is almost a par for the course when you live in North Queensland.

A stolen car being pulled out of the Ross River, near the South Townsville boat ramp. Picture: Supplied

“This is the first time my car’s been stolen, but I’ve had three windows smashed just randomly when I’ve parked on the street and an attempted break-in at my house before.”

The engineer said the ute was a business vehicle that had tools in.

“God knows where they are now, probably at the bottom of the Ross River,” he said.

Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police: https://bit.ly/3gSpXTi.

Originally published as Townsville crime: Youths flee as $80k car left to sink in Ross River