Rockhampton gang charged over alleged car theft, Duaringa robbery

An 18-year-old has been denied bail for his alleged involvement in a six teen gang attack where it is claimed they held up a service station at knifepoint and forced a woman to hand over her car during a spree across Central Queensland.

Picture: QPS

An 18-year-old dad has minimised his involvement in a six teen gang attack where it is alleged they held up a service station at knifepoint and forced a woman to hand over her car during a spree across Central Queensland.

Police allege the group stole a blue 2018 Toyota Corolla from a woman as she was driving on Quay St in Rockhampton City just before 7pm on Thursday night.

It’s further alleged the group drove that car to a service station at Duaringa, about 100kms west of Rockhampton and threatened the worker with a knife before leaving with cash, food and other items and not paying for fuel.

The car was later found at Woorabinda and a 13-year-old boy taken into custody soon after.

He was charged with one count each of unlawful use of motor vehicle, attempted unlawful use of motor vehicle and stealing.

He appeared at Rockhampton Children’s Court on Saturday, August 5 where he was remanded in custody until his next appearance on September 26.

However, James Marlon Dean Fisher, 18, was charged with one count each of unlawful use of motor vehicle, armed robbery and stealing.

He also appeared at Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Saturday and was remanded in custody until Monday where he applied for bail.

Police prosecutor Corey O’Connor opposed bail being granted to Mr Fisher and said the charges were “particularly serious”.

“The (alleged) use of the knife in the carjacking incident would have severe traumatising effects on the (alleged) victims involved,” he said.

“On this occasion there were no injuries that occurred.”

Mr O’Connor argued Mr Fisher would reoffend if granted bail.

Mr Fisher’s solicitor, Brendan Gimbert, said his client, who had a two-month old child, was contesting the allegations.

“He is saying that there was no knife,” Mr Gimbert said.

“His instructions are that his involvement in the robbery itself was limited to the pushing of the person, seeing that the till and safe were closed and then walking out.”

He said his instructions were that the co-accused were “more active parties” in the alleged offending.

He argued that a bail condition could include his client having no contact with any of the co-accused, which could reduce the risk of him committing further offences.

Magistrate Philippa Beckinsale refused to grant Mr Fisher bail.

Mr Fisher was remanded in custody and his matters were adjourned to September 20.

Another 18-year-old Rockhampton man, Lachlan Douglas Jenkins, was charged with unlawful use of motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, attempted robbery, two counts each of armed robbery and stealing, and three counts of breaching bail conditions and also had his charges mentioned in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Monday.

Mr Jenkins did not appear in court and he did not apply for bail.

His solicitor, Lachlan Robertson, said briefs of evidence were not requested at this stage.

Mr Jenkins was remanded in custody and his matters were adjourned to August 31.

A 15-year-old girl has been charged with receiving tainted property and is due to appear at Rockhampton Children’s Court on August 8.

A 13-year-old girl has been charged with stealing and is due to appear at Rockhampton Children’s Court on August 22.

A 17-year-old girl has been charged with two counts of stealing and one count of armed robbery and is due to appear at Rockhampton Children’s Court on September 26.

Originally published as Rockhampton gang charged over alleged car theft, Duaringa robbery