Toowoomba police arrest 18-year-old man accused of violent home invasion

An 18-year-old is due to face court after he was charged over an alleged violent Toowoomba home invasion where a knife was pointed at the throat of a 92-year-old man.

A second person has been charged over an alleged Mt Lofty home invasion where a knife was used. Generic image.

Police have arrested a second young person who is alleged to have been one of two people who forced their way into a Mt Lofty home and pointed a knife at a 92-year-old man’s throat.

The arrest comes as part of investigations into a spate of property crime across Toowoomba in recent weeks.

On Tuesday afternoon detectives from Toowoomba Property Crime Unit located the 18-year-old man at Wilsonton home.

He was arrested and charged with 15 offences that include eight counts of burglary, six counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of stealing and robbery.

Police will allege that the man, while in the company of a 16-year-old co-accused, forced his way into a Mt Lofty home about 4.30am on Monday.

Detective Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said police will allege that one of the intruders was armed and threatened the elderly man by pointing a knife at his throat.

“The alleged offenders stole car keys from the address which were dropped after another occupant of the house chased them from the dwelling,” he said.

“The 92-year-old male was physically unhurt but shaken by the incident.”

Police have also arrested the 16-year-old boy who is charged with entering a dwelling and committing by break, in company, and armed robbery.

The 18-year-old was held in custody overnight to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Wednesday, where police will object to his bail.

The 16-year-old boy fronted the Toowoomba Childrens Court of Tuesday where he was arraigned and remanded in custody.

“In the past week Toowoomba Property Crime Unit with the assistance of the Darling Downs Tactical Crime Unit and other Specialist Units have located and charged nine offenders on a total of 107 property related charges and recovered 6 stolen motor vehicles,” Senior Sergeant McCusker said.

“The recent property crime spree is a reminder to all members of the public to lock and secure your homes and vehicles to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of crime.”