Police charge 19yo Gracemere man with $130k black Dodge Ram

A 19-year-old Gracemere man will appear in court after police charged him with the theft of a $130k black Dodge Ram and accused him of a wild rampage which culminated in a hit and run.

A $130,000 four-tonne black Dodge Ram before it was stolen, driven around Rockhampton for 15+hours before t-boning a sedan in a hit and run accident at the intersection of Thozet and Rockonia Roads in Koongal on February 8, 2025.

A 19-year-old Gracemere man has been refused bail and will remain in custody after police charged him with the theft of a $130,000 black Dodge Ram and accused him of a wild rampage which culminated in a hit-and-run.

He has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle after allegedly stealing the black four-tonne vehicle from Oscadia Way in Edenbrook on Friday, February 7.

Police were called to a crash between the Dodge Ram and a silver Nissan Dualis at the intersection of Rockonia Road and Thozet Road involving the alleged stolen vehicle about 9.45pm on February 8.

The driver of the Nissan sustained minor injuries and was transported to Rockhampton Hospital and the passenger was not injured.

Police allege the Gracemere man fled the scene before police and emergency services arrived.

Following investigations, police arrested the man on Monday, February 10 and charged him with unlawful use of motor vehicle.

His bail has been refused and he is due to appear before Rockhampton Magistrates Court on February 11.

 The owner of the black Dodge Ram whose vehicle was allegedly stolen with his laptop and up to $15,000 worth of tools inside, says the community has had a ‘gutful’ of car thefts.

Jason (not his real name), a construction company manager, said he spent 15 hours on Saturday fielding messages from community members.

He alleged the accused thieves broke into his rental property at Edenbrook sometime between 9.30pm and 5am on Friday night through the roller door of the garage and took the keys to his car from his bedside table while he slept.

He said after reporting it stolen to police, he spent the next hour or so cancelling bank cards and other accounts.

Jason said about 7am someone contacted him saying they had heard reports the Dodge Ram was in Koongal.

The Dodge Ram was allegedly seen throughout Berserker and on Norman and Yeppoon roads.

He spoke exclusively with The Morning Bulletin about his frustrations throughout the ordeal and he said some people had reported seen the vehicle allegedly travelling at speeds of up to 140 km/hr through suburban streets across the Rockhampton region.

He said when he heard the Ram, which he has had for a mere three months, had been involved in a t-bone crash, he was initially told the people in the other vehicle were in a ‘critical condition’.

“I was sick to my stomach (at the thought that my car was involved),” Jason said.

However, the couple, both in their 60s, only received minor lacerations to the head, and were not critical as Jason was initially told.

A black Dodge Ram was involved in a hit and run crash on the corner of Thozet and Rockonia Roads, Koongal, on February 8 about 9.40pm.

“The car’s pretty powerful,” he said.

“They were driving around in a four-tonne weapon... many people could have died yesterday (Saturday).

“Everyone’s had a gutful of it (car theft).”

Jason said one of his worker’s wives ran into Rockhampton MP Donna Kirkland on Sunday morning and raised the theft with her.

He said he was warned by police not to chase his car, referring to what happened to other Rockhampton vigilantes in the past – such those who were charged with trespass after going to an alleged offender’s residence in May 2023 and Beau William Davidson who, armed with a machete, chased accused car thieves in suburban streets after they rammed his wife’s car.

Police forced to stand between a home in Norman Gardens and up to 100 vigilantes who attended an anti-crime rally.

Jason said the whole experience was “very, very frustrating; very, very disheartening” because it took so long to stop the offenders driving the stolen Ram, but he was also heartened by the kindness shown by the community.

Beau William Davidson pleaded guilty on October 25 in Rockhampton Magistrates Court to one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and wilful damage of a motor vehicle.

The State Government in October vowed to find a “balance” between safety and allowing police officers to undertake vehicle pursuits after a 13-year ban.

Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski said the Queensland’s pursuit policy was implemented after an inquest into deaths – including that of a 13-year-old girl crossing a road – from pursuits.

“Going back to around 2009 we’d seen in the period up until 2009 that 22 persons had lost their lives as a result of police-related pursuits,” Mr Gollschewski said.

“As a result of a variety of investigations, including coronial investigations, we had to look at our practices in that space and we introduced our pursuits policy.

“Since that time we’ve seen two deaths – that’s 15 years later – so there is a really significant statistic in that.”

Investigations are ongoing.

Anyone with information can call Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.

Quote this reference number: QP2500232535

According the Queensland Police Services crime map, there were six unlawful use of a motor vehicles offences on Saturday in the Rockhampton region and 14 in total for the week of February 3-9, 2025.

In a separate incident, five people have been charged with nine offences in relation to the alleged theft of a white Toyota HiLux at the weekend.

Originally published as Police charge 19yo Gracemere man with $130k black Dodge Ram