Townsville crime wrap: Teens assault elderly with plank at The Strand, man reported for suspicious acts in Burdell

Teens have been charged for hitting an elderly woman with a wooden plank at The Strand and in separate reports police have asked residents to help identify a man alleged of ‘suspicious behaviour’ in Burdell.

Townsville crime wrap: Teens assault elderly with plank at The Strand, man reported for suspicious acts in Burdell Photo: Tom Parrish

Queensland Police have charged two teenagers alleged to have robbed and assaulted a 63-year-old woman with a plank at The Strand.

Queensland Police have charged two teenagers alleged to have robbed and assaulted a 63-year-old woman with a plank at The Strand.

It is alleged a group of people had entered a North Ward property and allegedly assaulted the woman with a wooden plank and then stole a Toyota Rav 4.

Police later arrested a 13-year-old boy who was alleged to have been driving the vehicle, and a 15-year-old female passenger.

Police were called to the property at about 9.30pm and assured the woman was transported to the Townsville University Hospital for treatment.

Shortly after the police found the vehicle on the road and followed it a Vincent property.

It is alleged the stolen vehicle then rammed an unmarked police vehicle.

The teenagers suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital.

They were charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and appeared in the Townsville Children’s Court on Wednesday.

Investigations remain ongoing and police appeal for any witnesses or anyone with CCTV or other relevant footage to come forward.

Police Minister Dan Purdie said the teenagers were among the first to be charged under the new Making Queensland Safer laws.

“My thoughts are with the 63-year-old Townsville woman,” Mr Purdie said.

“We always put the rights of victims ahead of those of the offenders.”

‘Suspicious behaviour’ reported at Burdell business

Police are appealing for information regarding ‘suspicious behaviour’ reports from a man in Burdell last month. Picture: QPS

Police are appealing for information regarding ‘suspicious behaviour’ reports from a man in Burdell last month.

According to authorities the man allegedly attended a Main Street business between 2:45pm and 3:10pm on November 1.

Police are appealing to the man or anyone who may know him or others in the area at the time to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Townsville crime wrap: Teens assault elderly with plank at The Strand, man reported for suspicious acts in Burdell