LNP’s flagship election promise under fire after teens bailed for alleged home invasion

Two teens have been granted bail following an alleged home invasion and police chase, sparking public outage over the LNP’s flagship election promise.

Seanne and Dylan McMahon clean up after their house was invaded on Australia Day this year. Picture: Channel 9

Two teenagers, accused of a terrifying home invasion in Wellington Point, have been granted bail, sparking outrage from the victims and raising questions about the newly elected LNP MP Russell Field’s campaign promise of “Adult Crime for Adult Time”.

The 15-year-old and the 17-year-old were arrested following a police pursuit involving a stolen vehicle and a police helicopter along Vienna Rd at Alexandra Hills on Australia Day.

Authorities alleged the pair, along with others still at large, broke into a home in Wellington Point, terrifying couple Dylan and Seanne McMahon.

Police alleged four individuals threatened residents and stole the family’s Chrysler from the Wellington Point property on Sunday night.

The stolen car was later tracked by a police helicopter, with officers monitoring its movements across the Redland area.

Police arrest two teens on Vienna Rd at Alexandra Hills on Australia Day. Pictures: Contributed

The pursuit came to a halt in Thornlands when police deployed a tyre deflation device.

The vehicle continued but hit a traffic island on Vienna Rd at Alexandra Hills where the two teen boys were apprehended.

Both were charged with a total of seven offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The shocked McMahons said those inside the house were terrified when they were forced to hide on the roof while the intruders ransacked the home.

When discovered, the residents leapt off the balcony, landing on a car windscreen to escape.

“These young fellas just don’t have any regard for anyone,” Mr McMahon said.

“What can you say? You’re lost for words. They do serious crimes like this, and they’re out the next day. It’s a joke.”

A distraught Ms McMahon said: “We don’t know when this is going to stop.”

The teenagers allegedly left behind weapons, which looked like claw extensions, further heightening concerns about youth crime in the area.

Despite police opposing bail, the two accused were released after facing the Children’s Court in Cleveland on Tuesday.

Police say investigations are ongoing, with more youths believed to be involved.

The decision left the victims and the broader community, including the former Capalaba MP Don Brown, stunned.

Capalaba MP Russell Field, whose son Matthew died at an intersection on Vienna Rd at Alexandra Hills in 2021; and ex-Capalaba MP Don Brown who says the LNP’s ‘Adult Time for Adult Crime’ promise is hollow.

The case put newly-elected LNP MP Russell Field under immediate pressure.

Mr Field’s son Matthew and daughter-in-law Katherine Leadbetter and their unborn child were killed four years to the day at an intersection on Vienna Rd less than 1km away.

The young couple had been struck by an out-of-control car driven by an unlicensed teen on Australia Day.

Mr Field won the seat of Capalaba from the former Labor MP Brown in the October state election, largely campaigning on a tough-on-crime platform under the slogan “Adult Time for Adult Crime”.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mr Field said his sympathies were with every victim impacted by young offenders.

“I am best placed of anyone in the State Parliament to have an opinion on crime matters and the real effects they have on victims, their families, and their communities,” the statement said.

“I understand the impact of living under the former Labor Government’s weak youth justice laws. This is the sole reason that I ran for office, not for fame or fortune.

“There is nothing I would not give to have my family back. My job was to bring change, and we’re bringing it.

“However, change is not going to happen overnight; it will take time to unravel Labor’s youth crime crisis.

“Before the election, we promised to set up an expert legal panel to examine further reform for future tranches of the Making Queensland Safer Laws, and that’s exactly what we have done.”

Mr Brown, who was taken to task in 2023 when he claimed youth crime was “a media beat up”, was ousted in October in what was seen as a backlash against Labor’s handling of youth crime.

A weapon that was found at the Wellington Point house after an alleged home invasion on Australia Day this year. Picture: Contributed

When approached for comment, Mr Field’s office confirmed the new MP had contacted Attorney-General Deb Frecklington’s office on Wednesday asking for an explanation on bail being granted to the teen pair but had not yet received a response.

Mr Brown questioned Mr Field’s ability to deliver on his law-and-order election promises.

“Where is Russell - crime is out of control in his area and he is nowhere to be seen,” Mr Brown said.

“Three major news stories about crime in two nights and even the morning television programs covered it nationally.

“Crime statistics for December 2024 were up around 30 per cent on December 2023 for the Capalaba Police Area.

“I am just wondering why he is missing in action.”

Originally published as LNP’s flagship election promise under fire after teens bailed for alleged home invasion