Runaway Bay stalkers: Young crims caught on camera again, scoping out Gold Coast homes

More footage has emerged of young thugs scoping out Gold Coast homes, this time terrorising Runaway Bay. Here’s how locals are planning to deter them.

Concerned Runaway Bay locals are considering hiring private security to patrol their streets after a string of disturbing incidents involving young offenders.

CCTV video seen by the Bulletin shows disguised youngsters scoping out local homes and vehicles in the dead of night, with one local saying they were “like a pack of wolves”.

Cars pulled up, unknown people emerge to scope out Pebble Beach Dr in Runaway Bay.

Charlie Graham, area co-ordinator of the Runaway Bay Neighbourhood Watch, described the group as “a bad bunch of youngsters”.

“People are very disgruntled here with the security situation, they’re feeling exposed to these younger criminals who seem to come in the early morning and wander around our neighbourhood brazenly,” Mr Graham said.

Area coordinator of the Runaway Bay Neighbourhood Watch, Charlie Graham.

“They’re walking into garages, trying to check if car doors are open, if windows or side doors are unlocked – any opportunity to enter a property.”

Mr Graham, who has an army background, said he’s “not afraid to take on a criminal” – but advised people against taking matters into their own hands.

Security footage shows a young person wielding what Runaway Bay residents believe to be a knife.

“I wouldn’t encourage anyone to take them on,” he said, echoing advice from police.

Mr Graham said the wave of “bloody nonsense” could only be slowed if people worked with authorities and co-ordinated with their neighbours.

“The best thing to do is phone your neighbours and all react at the same time – switch on your lights, blow your horns, press your alarms, and get the buggers out of there,” he said.

“I’ve got all my neighbours’ numbers – one of them saved my cars last year, he happened to be awake at 1.30am when four youngsters were trying to get into the two vehicles.

“Luckily the cars were locked and they were scared off when he yelled at them – one yell and they were gone.”

“We have to be prepared to look after ourselves, and I mean that as a plural, look after each other throughout the Gold Coast.”

41-year-old Emma Lovell was stabbed during a home invasion in North Lakes on Boxing Day. A mother and daughter leave flowers at the Whitfield Crescent address. Picture: David Clark

Mr Graham praised the efforts of police, but said they were stretched to the limit.

“The police here react quickly and damn well,” he said.

“But they’re under resourced, stretched beyond their limit, so we should be working with and encouraging them.

“... one officer is doing four jobs at once”.

Mr Graham said the alleged murder of North Lakes mother Emma Lovell in a home invasion last month had “rocked the boat” and Neighbourhood Watch was exploring the possibility of “private mobile patrols” in Runaway Bay.

“I want this neighbourhood to be known as ‘don’t go there, they’ve got people who drive around and they’ll see you’ – it’s a deterrent,” he said.

The state government last month announced a number of measures to tackle the youth crime epidemic, including lengthier maximum sentences for some crimes and the building of a new youth detention centre.