Kid joy riders eye unlocked cars, homes in Toowoomba

JOY riders are believed to be responsible for a spike in car thefts, reaching excessive speeds on major highways and evading police.

JOY riders are believed to be responsible for a spike in car thefts, reaching excessive speeds on major highways and evading police.

Acting Inspector Craig Berry said juveniles were believed to have been in two stolen cars which fled from police and triggered a large-scale search in the Granite Belt region on Tuesday.

Wallangarra police on the border clocked two stolen cars - a silver Mercedes and black Mazda CX5 - reach speeds of about 170kmh past officers, he said.

"Police then arranged for the deployment of stinger sites at Stanthorpe and The Glen along the New England Highway," Insp. Berry said.

The cars evaded the stingers and the Mercedes later crashed, with the occupants fleeing in the Mazda.

They were last seen on Backer Rd at Warwick.

"Police investigations are still being undertaken in relation to the identification of these persons," he said.

"We're led to believe the persons of interest may be juveniles."

Insp. Berry said Toowoomba had experienced "quite a high rate" of vehicle theft, with joy-riding teens believed to be responsible for some of them.

He urged residents to lock homes and vehicles.

The vehicles stolen from Rockville. Picture: QPS

The plea comes as three vehicles were stolen from the same address in Rockville on Tuesday.

Police said offenders entered the Berghoffer St home through a closed but unlocked front door, and took several sets of keys and mobile phone.

A blue 2018 Toyota Klugar, with registration 767YEQ, with a blue Corteva Agriscience community barbecue trailer attached, was stolen.

A blue 2016 Hyundai Tucson was also taken, with registration 068WSE.

The vehicles were stolen between 8.30am and 9.15pm Tuesday.

Police reported the offenders returned to the address and stole another car, a black 2016 Skoda Octavia.

"Vehicle keys were used for all three vehicles," police said.

"Offenders were disrupted on the second occasion, resulting in the Skoda being reversed into a tree.

"This vehicle possible now has rear-end damage."

The ute stolen from Rangeville. Picture: QPS

It follows the theft of a white 2001 Toyota Hilux dual cab ute from a Stevenson St home in Rangeville earlier in the week.

The offenders in that instance entered the home, "conducted an untidy search" and found the keys to the ute which was fitted with a rear canvas canopy and had scaffolding on the roof.

All vehicles are yet to be found.
 

Originally published as Kid joy riders eye unlocked cars, homes in Toowoomba