SCREECH AND DESTROY
Teen’s alleged taunt at police while in stolen car leads to crash
A TEENAGE girl likely crashed and destroyed a stolen luxury car outside a Cairns shopping centre because she was allegedly distracted while shouting abuse at a passing police car.
The 15-year-old White Rock girl was allegedly behind the wheel, making an obscene gesture out the window and shouting “f--- the police” when the 2017 model Toyota Lexus hit a median strip on Mulgrave Rd at Earlville about 5am yesterday.
A TEENAGE girl has likely crashed and destroyed a stolen luxury car outside a Cairns shopping centre because she was allegedly too busy shouting abuse at a passing police car.
The 15-year-old White Rock girl was allegedly behind the wheel, making an obscene gesture out the window and shouting “f--- the police” when the 2017 model Toyota Lexus hit a median strip on Mulgrave Rd at Earlville about 5am yesterday.
Cairns police Sen-Sgt James Coate said it took out fencing and a garden before smashing into a power pole and was expected to be written off.
Four other juveniles were inside the car at the time.
The youths fled, but police officers in the passing vehicle jumped out and gave chase and four, including the driver, were arrested nearby.
Investigations are continuing to find the fifth.
The teens are aged between 13 and 15 and from Yarrabah, White Rock and Mt Sheridan.
They each had to be treated in hospital for minor injuries.
Sen-Sgt Coate said the car, which was stolen from a Mt Sheridan home the night before, had been linked to a dangerous driving incident involving excessive speed at East Trinity and a fuel theft at a Woree service station.
It is understood the owners had only bought the car about six months ago.
Sen-Sgt Coate said police were fuming over the incident.
“It’s a miracle they didn’t kill or injure themselves or anyone else on the road,” he said.
“It is alleged the driver had her head out the window and abused a marked police car going in the opposite direction.”
He labelled the group’s behaviour as “deplorable” and said parents of juvenile offenders had to start taking responsibility.
“At that young age these children don’t take responsibility for their actions,” he said.
“Parents and guardians of these children need to stand up and take proactive measures in ensuring their children don’t engage in criminal behaviour.
“As parents and guardians you are in a position to instil some sense of responsibility in your children and denounce the conduct by which they’re been involved in and to take steps to deter them from reoffending.”
Cairns property crime squad officers have charged the group with at least 10 offences in total, including burglary, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, stealing and dangerous operation of a vehicle.