Car rip-offs surge in weekend mayhem amid dire safety concern
Cairns thieves running amok at the weekend have accounted for about 12 stolen cars, including a vehicle that ran a red light and smashed into a Prado driven by a mum with a baby in the car.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Cairns thieves running amok at the weekend have accounted for about 12 stolen cars, including a vehicle that ran a red light and smashed into a Prado driven by a mum with a baby in the car.
Since January, when 58 cars were stolen, car thefts have been steadily increasing to 70 in February and 86 in March.
To date this month 80 cars have already been stolen.
The black Ford Ranger was recovered with front-end damage at Anderson St, Manunda on Sunday, however a second bronze Ford Ranger dualcab stolen from Smithfield remains outstanding.
A daughter of the black vehicle’s owner, who asked not be named, said her sister’s Mitsubishi ASX was also taken from the same Kewarra Beach address.
“Apparently the kids ran a red light and ran into two Prados, one with a mum that had two kids and a baby in the car,” she said.
The youth support worker said she was usually a compassionate, empathetic and patient person but those values have been tested by out-of-control kids tearing up Cairns streets in stolen cars.
“We know where they are coming from but it comes to a point that you are just over it,” she said.
“When it comes to your own safety you have to look after your family.
“It’s very conflicting and very challenging because it’s getting out of hand.
“I don’t feel safe going to fuel up, and going to the shops I’m thinking about where I’m going to park, this is not living.”
The mother of four said she moved from Papua New Guinea for a better life in Australia yet she still feels unsafe.
“The kids are scanning and looking for an easy target, I don’t want to be that target, I don’t let my kids catch buses and it was not like that before, I’m just so paranoid,” she said.
“These kids just don’t care, it’s a rush for them and they go to the next rush and we have to pick the pieces.”
Police arrested and charged three teenagers in connection with a car that was stolen from Friendship St in Bentley Park on Saturday.
The car was recovered at Charles St, Manunda and three girls were taken into custody after being found at a Murray St address.
A 14-year-old Manoora girl has been charged with one count each of enter dwelling, unlawful use of motor vehicle and driving without a license.
Two Edmonton girls, aged 14 and 15, have each been charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Police investigating the theft of two vehicles, including a white Lexus, from Le Grande St, Freshwater on Sunday have charged an 18-year-old woman.
Both vehicles were located in nearby suburbs a short time later and the Manoora woman has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of motor vehicle and one count each of enter dwelling, receiving tainted property and driving without a license.
She is due to appear at Cairns Magistrates Court on May 10.
More Coverage
Originally published as Car rip-offs surge in weekend mayhem amid dire safety concern
Beloved rebuilt water park revealed
One of Queensland’s most beloved holiday sites has unveiled a brand new water park following a turbulent rebuild during Cyclone Alfred. See the pictures.
‘Chaos and crisis’: Motorcycle mechanic’s downfall exposed
The life of a 39-year-old motorcycle mechanic and FIFO worker spiralled quickly into “chaos and crisis” after he turned to meth to cope with a death in the family, a court has heard.