Kim McCosker calls for tougher sentencing on juvenile offenders

Celebrity cook Kim McCosker has called on the state government to impose tougher sentences on juvenile offenders after a group of teens allegedly stole three of her luxury cars.

Celebrity cook Kim McCosker has called for tougher sentencing for juvenile offenders following the arrest of three teenagers suspected of stealing luxury cars from her home.

The 4 Ingredients founder woke on Monday morning to find burglars had allegedly broken into her Pelican Waters home and stole a Mini Country Man, a Range Rover and a Toyota Supra as well as her handbag and other items.

Her Mini Country Man was recovered on Monday after the driver allegedly rammed a police car in Bokarina, injuring the officer.

She said the Range Rover was found with all four tyres blown out but said she was yet to see the full extent of the damage.

The Toyota Supra was reportedly seen with different number plates at the Coochin Creek United Fruit Growers petrol station in Beerwah on Tuesday night.

The Toyota Supra was still missing and last reported to be seen at a petrol station in Beerwah.

Ms McCosker said the people travelling in her stolen Range Rover also allegedly targeted associates of hers in Mount Cotton before dumping the car.

She said they allegedly stole luxury cars from the family and were seen posing for photographs with the vehicles.

“These kids are doing it for moral status, for glory,” she said.

“The alarming thing is they have no remorse for any of the damage or any of the hurt or pain they inflict.”

Ms McCosker’s Mini Country Man was recovered after the driver allegedly rammed a police car, injuring an officer on Monday morning.

Ms McCosker pleaded with the state government to impose harsher penalties on repeat juvenile offenders.

“The Queensland Police are doing their bit but we are calling on our Premier for help and to enforce tougher sentencing laws on those who repeatedly steal from our homes and get away with it.

“Don’t slap them on their wrist and let them out to reoffend.

“These kids, 15, 16, 17 year olds, know the difference between right and wrong.

“What we’re currently doing is not working, in the blink of an eye they are out there posting it on social media.”

She said tougher sentencing and periods of actual imprisonment should be imposed on repeat juvenile offenders.

“They need to be taught a lesson.”

Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigations Branch officer-in-charge Peter Hocken confirmed on Wednesday police had arrested three teenagers who were allegedly involved in the incident.

“There were a number of vehicles stolen by this group over the preceding few weeks, some are outstanding, some have been recovered.

“From what we can see the offenders have travelled to the Sunshine Coast in a stolen vehicle, they’ve dumped that vehicle nearby then stolen other vehicles from Sunshine Coast.

Kim McCosker's Mini Country Man, her husband's Range Rover and her son's Toyota Supra were allegedly stolen from her Pelican Waters home on Monday morning.

“It’s becoming more common that especially juvenile offenders are traversing districts from Brisbane and entering the Sunshine Coast and committing these offences.

He confirmed the teenagers who were taken into custody were believed to be linked to the Mount Cotton thefts.

A 16-year-old Woodridge boy has since been charged with one count of armed robbery and attempted burglary, 14 counts of burglary, 10 counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, five attempted enter dwelling, four enter premises with intent and three counts of fraud.

A 16-year-old Logan Central boy has been charged with one count each of armed robbery, enter premises with intent and receiving tainted property, nine counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and five counts of burglary.

A 17-year-old Yarrabilba boy has been charged with eight counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, six counts of burglary, two counts of fraud and one count each of attempted burglary and enter premises to commit indictable offence.

They were all denied police bail to appear in Beenleigh Children’s Court on Wednesday.

Originally published as Kim McCosker calls for tougher sentencing on juvenile offenders