Couple thank Good Samaritans who heard their cries for help during attempted car theft

A retired couple are thanking members of the Mundingburra community who came to their aid, after they coming face to face with an offender in their laundry armed with a “lookalike taser”.

Couple shaken after break-in at Townsville home.

A retired couple are thanking the Mundingburra community, who came to their aid after coming face-to-face with an offender in their laundry, armed with a “lookalike taser”.

The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, were at their home in Mundingburra last Thursday at around 9:20am, when they saw a wannabe criminal in their laundry who had grabbed their car keys.

The husband chased him down their path, who attempted to open the door to their car.

“Neighbours who heard the alarm of [my husband] shouting “help, police, help” also came out and ran over, one or two called the police,” the wife said.

The husband confronted the offender, who pulled out a “lookalike taser gun” and yelled “stop or I’ll get ya”.

“I had run down the path after [my husband] and also had the black painted lookalike taser gun pointed at me before the culprit ran off,” she said.

By this time around half a dozen people had come to their aid.

“This surely stopped the crime, who was soon to be surrounded – so he ran off,” the wife said.

The offender then took off down the street in the direction of two stolen cars with others inside.

Katter's Australian Party Mundingburra candidate Michael Pugh. Picture: Shae Beplate.

In pursuit was former KAP candidate and hike leader at the Townsville Hike and Explore Group Michael Pugh, who heard the screams for help from across the road.

When he came out onto the street and saw the two cars, he assumed there had been a car crash.

“I was in the area for work and heard these shrieks and cries for help,” he said.

“I jumped up and ran across the road and when I got outside I saw the two cars parked outside with the engines running in the middle of the road.”

Mr Pugh said he saw a male, who seemed to be between 15 and 18 years old, running out of the house covered in all black and “took off after him”.

“The offender ran around and I nearly had my hands on him and tried to grab him but someone kicked the door open and he jumped in. I reckon I missed him by a foot, and off they sped off,” he said.

Queensland Police

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen two people as traumatised as them.”

Mr Pugh said he stayed and consoled the couple until police arrived.

He said he was astounded by their brazenness.

“It was broad daylight and these kids did not give a stuff,” he said.

“They were covered with black masks with white skulls on them. They didn’t have a care in the world.”

After the cars fled the scene, police arrived followed by detectives.

The couple escaped unharmed, but were shaken up by the ordeal.

“Their support and assistance is warmly thanked as they scoured the neighbourhood, including checking security cameras,” the wife said.

“We send our heartfelt gratitude to all.”

Queensland Police advised they were investigating the incident and anyone with information is urged to contact police.

Originally published as Couple thank Good Samaritans who heard their cries for help during attempted car theft