Tougher laws can’t come soon enough after car thieves steal QFES vehicle

Travelling in a convoy of stolen vehicles, led by a QFES rescue truck with its lights and sirens activated, Townsville’s car thieves have hit a ‘new low’.

Car thieves have hit QFES, stealing a rescue truck from a private residence on Monday. Picture: Supplied.

Townsville’s car thieves have hit a “new low” after they were spotted travelling in a two-vehicle convoy, led by a stolen Queensland Fire and Emergency Services rescue truck with its lights and sirens activated.

Local residents took to social media to share sightings and photos of the stolen vehicles as they travelled around the city during the early hours of Monday.

A QFES spokesman confirmed that their rescue truck was stolen from a private residence in Annandale.

In a statement released on Monday, a Queensland Police spokesman said the break-in took place between 1 and 2am, resulting in several items including car keys and a 2019 Ford Ranger dual cab being stolen.

2019 Ford Ranger dual cab spotted after it was stolen from a house in Annandale. Picture: Supplied.

“The vehicle was later spotted by a member of the public around 3am at Cameron Street, Railway Estate, where it had been abandoned,” the spokesman said.

“Several items of property from the vehicle were located strewn around the vehicle with investigations ongoing to determine if any other stolen property remains outstanding.”

Later that morning, a Townsville resident stumbled across equipment from the QFES vehicle that had been dumped behind Officeworks Hermit Park.

The items, which included water bottles, resuscitation equipment and a defibrillator, were returned to a local station by the resident.

Monday afternoon Queensland Police had no suspects in custody and their investigations were ongoing.

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper is looking forward to tougher penalties being introduced to crack down on criminals. Picture: Evan Morgan

A former emergency services worker, Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper was furious after hearing about the emergency vehicle being stolen and its lifesaving equipment dumped.

He described the incident as a “despicable act” and a “new low”.

“I’m glad its been recovered, for the sake of the public and QFES staff,” Mr Harper said.

“I can’t wait for these new laws to come in and I look forward to the police apprehending the suspects during their high-visibility operation.”

Since its commencement on December 19, Queensland Police’s Operation Theta has resulted in the arrests of 52 juveniles on 146 charges and 55 adults, charged with 112 offences.

Operation Theta will conclude at the end of the month.

Originally published as Tougher laws can’t come soon enough after car thieves steal QFES vehicle