River Downs Helensvale residents greeted by site of stolen car burnt out on street
It may look like a scene from a ghetto, but this grim sight was actually what greeted residents of a high end estate on the Gold Coast on Friday morning. Full details.
Police & Courts
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It may look like a scene from a ghetto – but this was the sight that greeted residents of a well-kept luxury estate on the northern Gold Coast on Friday morning.
The charred mess was the result after a stolen hatchback was dumped and set alight near a train line at the end of Warrego Way in the River Downs estate in Helensvale shortly before 5am.
Houses in River Downs – well known for its large blocks – typically fetch millions at auction.
Piles of rubbish surrounded the incinerated vehicle.
The car’s occupants had already fled the scene by the time emergency services arrived.
“At around 5am, emergency services were called to Warrego Way after receiving a report of a car on fire,” a Queensland Police Service spokesperson said.
“Upon arrival, officers found the vehicle completely engulfed. QFES attended and extinguished the fire.
“Initial information indicates that the vehicle may be stolen and then abandoned and set alight by unknown suspects. Investigations are continuing.”
A 2012 black BMW 320D was stolen from another street in Helensvale a number of hours earlier.
Video shared to local social media groups showed three hooded people, all wearing gloves and one carrying a torch, sneaking between vehicles outside the owner’s Ben Dalley Dr property.
The videos end with one of the youths seen tearing down a security camera.
The owner appealed for people to “please keep an eye out” for his car, with registration 269 YHF.
Although the video was time stamped 4.41am, police said the incident had in fact taken place a number of hours earlier.
“Police received a report via Policelink of a break-and-enter at Ben Dally Drive in Helensvale,” a police spokesperson said.
“The informant reported that access was gained to the property at around 10.30pm on June 6.
“Once inside, three offenders have stolen property and a set of keys.
“The offenders then gained access to a BMW and left the scene in the stolen vehicle.
“Investigations are continuing.”
Police said there were currently no known links between the theft and the vehicle found burned out at River Downs.
The torched car was the latest to be burned out on the Gold Coast.
Two weeks ago a Toyota Corolla which had been stolen 88km away at New Farm in Brisbane was torched on a quiet street in Bonogin.
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