Victim details terrifying encounter as 20+ offenders swarm her car

Two people have been left visibly shaken and traumatised after offenders who were involved in a violent brawl, allegedly attacked their car near a major Toowoomba shopping centre.

When Maddy Sears, 25, went late-night shopping with her boyfriend and mum, the trio never anticipated they would find themselves embroiled in a violent tirade, at no fault of their own.

After leaving Grand Central Shopping Centre at 8.30pm on Thursday night, Ms Sears’ mum left in a separate vehicle and saw a large group of people approaching.

Maddy Sears was terrified when her car was surrounded by a group of 20 juveniles in Margaret St. Picture: Nev Madsen.

Alerting her daughter to their presence, Ms Sears’ mum was able to avoid the group entirely as she passed through the lights on Margaret St, between Mylne and Station Streets.

Instinctively, Ms Sears locked the doors of her Toyota CHR as she exited the shopping centre’s car park onto Margaret St when the street descended into chaos.

The 25-year-old woman estimated a group of about 40 offenders started a violent brawl in the middle of the road, blocking the route for her to escape.

“I beeped my horn at them to try and get them to move and (about half of them) just swarmed my car,” Ms Sears said.

“They were bashing the windows, kicking the car, hitting the bonnet and roof and pulling on my door handle to try and get into the car.

“I think one of them must have been wearing knuckle dusters because there are now four big dings in the driver’s side of my car.”

Victims of crime stand at the Toowoomba Community Safety Forum at Empire Theatre. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Shocked and frightened by the situation, Ms Sears and her boyfriend had no option but to remain inside the car during the tirade which lasted about three minutes.

The large group of offenders eventually moved to the back of the vehicle allowing the couple to drive off.

“It was crazy. I was completely terrified and I’m a pretty strong person … it was like something you would see in an American movie,” Ms Sears said.

“All I kept thinking was imagine if I didn’t lock my car doors.

“(The crime crisis is) really sad but I honestly just feel so bad for the police … there was no way they would have been able to control that.”

Police are investigating after a man was found stabbed in the chest in the middle of the Toowoomba CBD. Picture: Will Hunter

Calling on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to address the ongoing crime crisis in Toowoomba, Ms Sears said she needed “to see what it’s like first-hand.”

“I think if you commit a crime then you should get more than a slap on the wrist regardless of if you’re a child or not,” she said.

“The youth justice system really needs a reform especially in Queensland.

“I’m fearful to go out and definitely will not go into town without my doors locked now.”

Ms Sears who has lived in the region her entire life was also a victim of crime three years ago when her car was stolen.

A spokeswoman from the Queensland Police Service confirmed the matter was currently being investigated.

“Police are investigating following reports of a group of around 20 people approaching a white station wagon,” the spokeswoman said.

“The group surrounded the vehicle and attempted to gain access, kicking it when they couldn’t.

“The woman was able to drive to safety and was not physically injured.”

Anyone who witnessed or may have CCTV footage of the incident are encouraged to call Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The Chronicle is encouraging residents to leave flowers to honour Robert Brown who died as result of injuries suffered in an alleged robbery outside Grand Central. Picture: Kevin Farmer

It comes after a crime scene was declared less than 100m from the Darling Downs District Police Office in Toowoomba’s CBD about 7.20pm on Thursday night.

Emergency service crews were called to the intersection of Margaret and Neil Sts after reports an 18-year-old man had been stabbed in the chest.

Meanwhile 75-year-old photographer Robert Brown was killed in a senseless attack on the same street last week.

There is no indication that the three incidents are connected.

Tensions reached boiling point at a crime forum held at the Empire Theatre on Wednesday night, with frightened and frustrated residents slamming the state government.