Three people in custody after allegedly stolen vehicle involved in Aitkenvale crash

Three people are in custody after an alleged stolen car crash as police reveal details into crime “spike” investigations.

Townsville police are working to determine if a group of young people allegedly involved in a stolen car crash on Wednesday night were involved in a string of offences on Mother’s Day.

On Wednesday night a white sedan was allegedly travelling on the wrong side of the road in Aitkenvale, near Townsville Shopping Centre, when it crashed into a second vehicle.

The member of the public’s car was then pushed into the Queensland Country Bank on the corner of Ross River Rd and Nathan St.

Two people in the car were treated at the scene by Queensland Ambulance Service while two alleged offenders in the stolen car were taken to hospital.

Acting Superintendent Dean Cavanagh.

Acting Superintendent Dean Cavanagh said police were on the scene in a matter of minutes and managed to catch and charge three people – a 17-year-old Condon girl, a 14-year-old Railway Estate Girl and a 17-year-old Kelso boy.

They have been charged with a number of offences including stolen vehicles and property-related crimes.

Stolen car crash in Aitkenvale pushed a member of the public's car into the Queensland Country Bank on Ross Rver Rd.

Superintendent Cavanagh said police were aware of the allegedly stolen vehicle and had been tracking it.

“We had the sufficient demand and response in place so that we could respond immediately,” he said.

Superintendent Cavanagh said before officers needed to use tyre deflation devices or performed any covert actions, it crashed.

It is alleged that four or five offenders then tried to flee the scene on foot, but officers were able to “close that loop” quickly.

Alleged offenders run from stolen car crash in Aitkenvale. Picture: Qld Police

Drones, the police helicopter and dog squad were used as part of the response.

He said his thoughts went out to the members of the public who were involved in the crash.

“We understand that although the injuries might not be overly serious, this sort of crime does have a major impact,” he said.

Superintendent Cavanagh said police were moving into the next stage of the investigation, which would be “intense”.

“We are currently knocking on a lot of doors, looking in a lot of locations and making a lot of inquiries with people and I am confident that we will actually arrest multiple people over these next few days,” he said.

This VW Tiguan was stolen from a Mysteron home on Thursday night, and was found on fire Sunday morning.

Superintendent Cavanagh said as part of the investigation, police were trying to determine if the offenders were linked to the string of offences on Mother’s Day, which involved multiple alleged car jackings in a half-hour period.

“We will look at absolutely all of the evidence and there’s a lot of evidence to go through,” he said.

This included information from the public, CCTV footage, fingerprints and DNA evidence.

“It’s too early to say their exact involvement (in the alleged Mother’s Day offences), but rest assured any offence that we can prove, they will be going before the courts for.”

A prado was dumped on Paskin Street, Vincent. Offenders allegedly then carjacked another vehicle.

Superintendent Cavanagh said they were still searching for people involved in the Mother’s Day offences, with many of the offenders having “gone to ground” because of the pressure from police.

He said they had identified a number of people who were wanted on various offences, but they had made some arrests.

One 20-year-old Vincent man charged with arson, robbery and burglary, and a 13-year-old Hermit Park boy charged with robbery, arson and other stolen vehicle offences.

Superintendent Cavanagh said the police helicopter had been a “game changer” for police, helping them resolve crimes quicker and enhancing community safety.

He said it was helping police monitor crimes from above and making sure it was safe for officers to move in and arrest offenders.

Superintendent Cavanagh did describe the last week’s crime as a “spike” but added that comparatively to an increase in youth crime 12 months ago, it was very small.

“I think the reason for that is we’re actually arresting them (offenders) quicker,” he said.

“Due to the co-ordinated response, essentially the aerial support we’re getting, we’re arresting these guys quicker before they get on that trajectory of actually committing further offences.

“On average, the offending is a lot lower, the period that these offenders are out there in the community committing harm is less.”

Three arrested after alleged stolen car crash

Three people are in custody after an allegedly stolen car crashed in Townsville, with five people treated by paramedics.

The accident happened at the intersection of Wotton and Nathan streets, Aitkenvale, about 6.30pm on Wednesday.

Police said three people who attempted to flee the scene of the crash were in custody.

“Three people who attempted to leave the scene on foot are in police custody and are assisting with investigations,” a spokeswoman said.

“Any witnesses or anyone with information is being urged to contact police.”

A Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said five people were assessed at the scene.

“Two people were transported to Townsville University Hospital in stable conditions.”

A Queensland Fire and Emergency Service spokesman said crews helped remove a vehicle from the footpath that had oil spilling out of it.

Investigations into the crash are ongoing.

Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000

Originally published as Three people in custody after allegedly stolen vehicle involved in Aitkenvale crash