Named and shamed: Full list of Toowoomba’s convicted car criminals
New crime data shows which Toowoomba suburbs your car is more likely to be stolen from. See how yours stacks up here.
Police & Courts
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Toowoomba is one of Australia’s car theft capitals, however following an increase in police operations and community awareness, reports of unlawful use across the Darling Downs has dropped.
While the crime may be on the lower end of the criminality scale, the ramifications can leave a trail of destruction in its wake, with residents left feeling violated and terrorised, and raising the potential to cause fatal crashes.
A Queensland Police spokesman said a majority of stolen cars were often used for joy rides or used in the commission of other crimes.
“The remainder are stolen by professional car thieves for monetary gain, and are either given a new identity and resold, or stripped down and sold as separate parts,” he said.
According to Queensland Crime Statistics, the number of cars reported stolen across the Darling Downs significantly dropped in June, July, and August.
During the first eight months of 2023, 701 cars were reported stolen, down from 912 reported within the same time frame in 2022, 613 in 2021, and 410 in 2020.
This year unlawful use offences were higher in January and April, with 120 reports made to police each month.
In 2022, the number of stolen cars reported stolen in the Darling Downs Region peaked to an all-time high of 1329.
Within the past year, a large number of people were sentenced in Toowoomba courts for the unlawful use of vehicles.
However, offenders are rarely solely sentenced for unlawful use of a motor vehicle, as the charge is usually accompanied by a raft of other crimes like property, driving, evading police, stealing, and drug offences.
Below is a list of Darling Downs offenders sentenced for vehicle crimes:
Brody Scott Thompson
In October 2023, 18-year-old Brody Scott Thompson pleaded guilty to riding along in a stolen car on July 27.
It was the 10th time the teenager was charged in 2023, with the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told Thompson, who had a traumatic childhood and subsequent addiction issues, was on parole at the time of the fresh offence.
He was sentenced to a four month jail term, and had 69 days of pre-sentence custody declared as time served.
Thompson was eligible to apply for parole immediately.
Full story here.
Brayden Thomas Colin Thurston
In October 2023, Brayden Thomas Colin Thurston pleaded guilty to 15 crimes including stealing a car, before he was sentenced to a 15 month jail term.
The 22-year-old also pleaded guilty to breaking into homes and cars, possessing stolen car keys, and possessing 1.2g of meth.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told Thurston targeted high-value cars and was sentenced to a six month probation order in November 2022, after he pleaded guilty to stealing a car.
The court was told Thurston was a recidivist offender with a penchant for going around with his ‘mates’ and committing property offences.
Thurston’s lawyer told the court the father of two was battling a drug addiction which contributed to his offending.
His licence was also suspended for two years, and the 42 days he spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.
The young man will be released on parole on February 5, 2024.
Lara Lee Duncan
In September 2023, Lara Lee Duncan pleaded guilty to attempting to steal a car at Kearneys Spring while on parole.
The 23-year-old Toowoomba man also pleaded guilty to burglary, stealing, and using violence at night while trying to steal a car.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard Duncan had a history of unlawful use, and if it wasn’t for the car owner’s interference, he would have succeeded.
The court was told Duncan entered the home through an unlocked door and was overpowered by the homeowner when he was attempting to flee in the car.
Duncan was sentenced to a two and half year jail term and his parole eligibility was set to March 27, 2024.
Full story here.
Kristin Marie Cole
In September 2023, young Toowoomba woman Kristin Marie Cole pleaded guilty to her involvement in stealing a car.
Two months prior, the then 18-year-old pleaded guilty to 21 offences including two unlawful use charges, and a number of stealing charges.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told the 20-year-old offered no excuses for her actions when she added another page to her two-page criminal history.
She was sentenced to a 15 month probation order and ordered to complete 10 hours of community service.
Lachlan Connor Cubby
In September 2023, Lachlan Connor Cubby pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of a motor vehicle and was sentenced to a six month jail term.
Police prosecutor Kinsley Weir said Cubby’s fingerprints were found in the passenger seat area of the car, which was stolen from Centenary Heights, Toowoomba.
At the time, Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told Cubby was on parole for the same crime.
When sentenced, Cubby had already spent 105 days in custody which was declared as time served.
He will be eligible for parole on November 5, 2023.
Brock Aiden Dornbusch
In August 2023, Brock Aiden Dornbusch pleaded guilty to stealing 11 cars and was sentenced to a 12 month jail term and disqualified from driving for two years.
The 18-year-old Oakey man also pleaded guilty to evading police, dangerous operation, break and enter, and drug possession.
The Toowoomba Magistrate Court was told Dornbusch was on parole at the time for similar offending.
Magistrate Clare Kelly said the town of Oakey seemed to be at the centre of the planned stolen car operation that Dornbusch and a number of other people were involved in.
He was eligible to apply for parole on August 31.
Montel Carlos Jordan Hooper
In June 2023, Montel Carlos Jordan Hooper pleaded guilty to two charges of the unlawful use of stolen vehicles and was sentenced to a nine month prison term.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told the young Toowoomba man stole the cars just weeks after he was released from custody.
Magistrate Louise Shephard said Hooper committed the fresh unlawful use crimes in February when he was on parole and subjected to four different suspended sentences.
The court was told Hooper spent 124 days in custody which was declared as time served, he was also given immediate parole eligibility.
Jackson Bruce Watson
In April 2023, Warwick man Jackson Bruce Watson pleaded guilty to 20 crimes including six counts of the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
The 28-year-old also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, possessing dangerous drugs, evading police, and receiving stolen number plates
The Toowoomba Magistrate Court heard the stolen cars were seen driving around Toowoomba, with the stolen plates attached.
During the spate of crimes, Watson was also seen driving stolen cars in Warwick, Texas, and St George.
The court was told Watson’s offending, which included homes being ransacked and broken into, was fuelled by a drug addiction.
Watson was sentenced to an 18 month jail term with immediate parole eligibility.
He was also disqualified from driving for three years.
Russell William Gilliis
In April 2023, Russell William Gilliis pleaded guilty to 14 crimes, including the unlawful use of vehicles, and was sentenced to a 12 month jail term.
At the Toowoomba Magistrate Court, the 27-year-old also pleaded guilty to fleeing the scene of two crashes, possessing meth, evading police, and dangerous operation.
The 127 days Gilliis spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served, and his licence was also disqualified for three years.
The court was told the crime spree occurred between November and December 2022, after he was released from jail on parole for similar offending,
He was eligible for parole on August 4, 2023.
Jakob Daniel Fogarty
In March 2023, 21-year-old Warwick man Jakob Daniel Fogarty pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of a motor vehicle and was sentenced to a four year jail term.
He also pleaded guilty to stealing, break and enter, and arson.
Toowoomba District Court was told Fogarty and two other men broke into an East Greenmount home and stole weapons, $35,000 cash, and a Toyota Camry that was later torched.
He was on bail at the time of the offence, and when officers went to his home for a breach, there was another stolen car in his driveway.
After spending 127 days in custody, which was declared as time served he was jailed with a parole eligibility date of March 9, 2024.
Chloe Jayne Town
In March 2023, Toowoomba woman Chloe Jayne Town pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawfully using motor vehicles and was sentenced to a nine month suspended jail term.
The 22-year-old woman also pleaded guilty to receiving stolen jewellery, possessing meth, and breaching her bail conditions.
Town spent 49 days in custody, which was declared as time served.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told Town was seen in two of the stolen vehicles and was seen stealing the keys from the third at a Wilsonton service station on March 16.
The court heard the St Ursula’s College graduate had a “good upbringing” however her life spiralled following drug use.
Travis Peter Holborn
In November 2022, Travis Peter Holborn was sentenced to a 15 jail month jail term after he pleaded guilty to the unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
The 31-year-old Toowoomba man also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, drug possession, and driving an unregistered and uninsured car.
He was disqualified from driving for six years and was released on parole in early 2023.
During his sentence at Toowoomba Magistrates Court, the court was told he was on parole for similar offending at the time.
The court heard Holborn stole a Toyota HiLux from a Laidley property, and evaded police on the Warrego, before dumping the car in Harristown.
Officers tracked Holborn down at Grand Central Shopping Center and arrested him in a Target change room.
Holborn’s lawyer told the court the drug addict had a difficult childhood which left him homeless at the age of 11.
The 93 days the father spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.
Shantel Ann-Maree Lucas
In November 2022, Shantel Ann-Maree Lucas pleaded guilty to stealing two cars, alongside a raft of stealing charges, and was sentenced to a seven month jail term suspended for 12 months.
The 36-year-old Toowoomba woman also pleaded guilty to fuel drive-offs, drug offences, breaching bail, and driving unlicensed.
She was on parole at the time of the offending.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court heard that two years prior, the mother was seriously injured in a fatal stolen car crash, and her criminal history was littered with unlawful use crimes.
Lucas’ lawyer told the court her offending was fuelled by a drug addiction.
Bobbielee Margaret Dodd
In September 2022, Bobbielee Margaret Dodd pleaded guilty to 19 charges including the unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and was sentenced to a two year jail term with immediate parole.
The 25-year-old also pleaded guilty to driving dangerously while on meth, evading police, receiving tainted property, and driving without a licence.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told Dodd dangerously drove a stolen car from Charlton to Ipswich, before she came to a crashing stop on January 9, 2022.
Officers successfully spiked the car’s tyres, however Dodd continued to drive on the rims which caused her to lose control and crash into oncoming traffic.
Dodd’s lawyer told the court she spent most of her life behind bars and struggled with a drug addiction.
The 263 days Dodd spent in pre-sentence custody was declared as time served.
Jamara Warren Henningsen
In September 2022, Jamara Warren Henningsen pleaded guilty to a number of charges including stealing a car, and was sentenced to an 18 month jail term with immediate parole.
The 19-year-old Toowoomba man, who had five pages of criminal history, also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, evading police, burglary, and trespassing.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told Henningsen was on parole at the time of the offending and committed the crimes just seven days after his release from jail.
The court was told Henningsen and a co-offender broke into a Toowoomba home on April 15, and took off in a stolen Honda Accord after being confronted by the homeowner.
During a slow-speed police pursuit, officers saw the car driving dangerously through Toowoomba before the tyres were successfully spiked.
Henningsen’s lawyer said his ice addiction played a role in the offending.
The 147 days he spent in pre-sentence custody were also declared as time served.
Gary Chong Nee
In October 2022, Gary Chong Nee pleaded guilty to 13 offences including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, burglary, and stealing.
The former Downlands College student was sentenced to a 15 month jail term with immediate parole.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told the 33-year-old broke into a Toowoomba home and fled in a stolen car after he was interrupted by the homeowners, taking their phones and bankcards with him.
Police prosecutor Rowan Brewster-Webb said Chong Nee was with a co-offender, and had a seven-page criminal history littered with the same type of offending.
Chong Nee’s solicitor told the court drug addiction contributed to the offending.
Kamahl Jeremy Scott Duncan
In October 2022, Toowoomba man Kamahl Jeremy Scott Duncan pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and was sentenced to a four month jail term wholly suspended for 12 months.
The 22-year-old, who had a lengthy criminal history, began stealing cars 11 days after his release from custody.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told Duncan was caught on CCTV in stolen cars, and his fingerprints were also lifted from all of the cars.
Solicitor Claire Graham told the court Duncan had a difficult and disadvantaged childhood and had fallen into the wrong crowd.
Full story here.
Joshua Paul Townsend
In October 2022, Joshua Paul Townsend pleaded to the unlawful use of a motor vehicle and set the car alight at Goombungee. 21
The 23-year-old Toowoomba man was sentenced to three months imprisonment with immediate parole and ordered to pay $5500 in restitution.
Toowoomba Magistrates Court was told Townsend was on probation at the time and committed the crime alongside two mates.
Townsend’s solicitor told the court that methamphetamine use played a role in his offending.
Everybody appearing at Toowoomba Magistrates Court, Monday, September 9
Here is a list of matters listed at Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday.
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