Thomas Craig Grundy charged over theft of cars in Benowa

A court has been told a Red Rooster bag caused police to link a teenager with the theft of a luxury car which was caught on CCTV. The man’s lawyer says the case against him is weak.

A TEENAGER accused of stealing cars in Benowa on the weekend was charged by police after allegedly going through a Red Rooster drive-through in a stolen vehicle, a court was told.

Thomas Craig Grundy, 18, appeared in Southport Magistrates Court today facing multiple charges including entering a dwelling to commit an indictable offence, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, driving without a licence and receiving tainted property.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Dave Shelton said police found a stolen Lexus outside Grundy’s Ashmore home about 5.45pm yesterday.

It is alleged the car was stolen from a Benowa property on Sunday morning.

Sen Const Shelton said police spoke to Grundy, who said he had been home since lunch time.

“They noticed a Red Rooster bag which had the contents still warm,” he said.

Sen Const Shelton said they went to a nearby Red Rooster and examined CCTV where they allegedly found footage of Grundy behind the wheel of the stolen car going through the drive-through.

It is alleged two watches, including a Bvlgari watch, were also taken from the Benowa home.

Grundy only turned 18 on April 30.

Damage to the gates of a Benowa home following the theft of a Lexus car.

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Defence lawyer David Carlin, of Legal Aid Queensland, said the case against Grundy was weak.

He said police in their objection to bail affidavit had said three “unknown” people had been seen running onto the car owner’s property before it was stolen.

Mr Carlin said there was nothing to link Grundy to that scene.

The court was told Grundy did not have an address to return to which was deemed suitable by police.

Magistrate Michelle Dooley adjourned the matter until tomorrow so a suitable address could be obtained.

Police allege a Mercedes Benz was also taken from the address.

A third car was allegedly stolen from a Benowa address nearby.

Police have also charged a 16-year-old girl with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of enter premises and commit indictable offence, enter dwelling with intent at night uses/threatens violence damages property, wilful damage and fraud. She is due to appear in Beenleigh court today.