Passenger of stolen car that drove dangerously through Toowoomba handed probation

A passenger of a stolen vehicle that was tracked by Polair hitting speeds of 130km/h in a 60km/h zone and drove on the wrong side of the road to avoid road spikes has been sentenced.

Police arrested two boy and a man after they dumped a stolen RAV4 wagon in Hock Court, Wilsonton Heights on Monday.

UPDATE: A passenger of a car spotted by police helicopter doing 130km/h in a 60km/h zone and driving on the wrong side of the road has fronted court.

Tyrell Miguel Tuitoga, 18, pleaded guilty in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday to two charges of breaching bail and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The court was told that about 10.30pm on December 4 a group of people allegedly attended a Kearneys Spring home and stole a 2012 Toyota RAV4 after finding the keys inside the vehicle.

Police prosecutor Bettina Trenear said Tuitoga was a passenger in the vehicle while it was reported by members of the public driving dangerously and erratically, at one stage hitting 130km/h in a 60km/h zone.

A Polair chopper was called and tracked the vehicle throughout Toowoomba, and while police attempted to deploy tyre deflation devices the vehicle managed to evade three attempts, driving on the wrong side of the road into oncoming traffic.

About 5pm the vehicle was abandoned in Wilsonton and a short time later Polair tracked Tuitoga hiding in a nearby backyard.

Magistrate Kay Ryan had a stern warning to Tuitoga, who was being supported by his grandmother.

“If you want to wrap yourself around a telegraph pole and have your nan come and identify your body, keep doing what you’re doing,” she said.

Tuitoga was handed six month probation, with no conviction recorded.

EARLIER: Police have again urged residents to secure their vehicles after the owner of Toyota RAV4 left their spare keys in the wagon, inviting thieves to steal it.

“Leaving spare keys in the vehicle does not serve any purpose,” Detective Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said.

“It is merely welcoming your vehicle and you to be a victim of crime.”

Thieves stole the white RAV4 wagon from a Kearney Springs home on Saturday and it was sighted several times by police in Toowoomba on Monday.

Witnesses describe seeing the vehicle driving erratically and at speed by three men cloaked in balaclavas.

Sgt McCusker said Toowoomba police called in the Polair chopper to assist.

“Late in the afternoon on Monday the vehicle was tracked to a number of locations throughout Toowoomba,” he said.

“Stingers were deployed but were not successful and the vehicle was dumped in Hock Court.”

The three occupants fled on foot but were arrested a short time later.

All were held in custody overnight to face the magistrates on Tuesday.

A 16-year-old boy is charged with one count of burglary, two of unlawful use of a vehicle, five counts of stealing fuel and two counts of unlicensed driving.

A 17-year-old boy is charged with two counts of unlawful use of a vehicle and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle and unlicensed driving.

An 18-year-old man is charged with two breaches of bail and one count of unlawful use of a vehicle.

“It is just another reminder that people need to secure their vehicles and keep their keys in a safe place,” Sgt McCusker said.

Police understand the vehicle was used by several people since it was stolen and it has been seized for a forensic examination.

Anyone with information that would assist investigators should phone Policelink on 131 444.