Trio’s terror drive Cop car forced off street in road rampage

THREE North Queensland people who allegedly drove a stolen vehicle from Townsville to Cairns before forcing two vehicles, including a police car, off the road have been taken into custody in a dramatic arrest at gunpoint.

It will be alleged a police vehicle and another car were headed east on Brinsmead Rd at Westcourt at 7.30pm on Saturday when a Nissan Xtrail travelling in the opposite direction overtook two cars.

The police vehicle and an- other vehicle were forced to take evasive action on to the grass verge to avoid a collision.

A short time later police saw the vehicle parked in Saint George Close. The driver, a 17year-old girl from Vincent in Townsville, then allegedly rammed a police car trying to get away.

“We had them within about 10 minutes,” a police spokesman said.

It’s alleged that one of the trio then presented what was thought to be a weapon and as a result the female driver and two passengers were taken down at gunpoint before being arrested.

It will be further alleged the Nissan Xtrail had been stolen from Townsville on May 25 and was involved in two petrol drive-offs in Garbutt and Ingham.

“I’m glad we were able to stop them from harming innocent members of our community,” the spokesman said.

The girl has been charged with two counts each of dangerous driving of a motor vehicle, unlicensed driving and stealing and one count each of failing to provide specimen of breath for analysis, failing to stop, receiving tainted property, serious assault and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

She will be dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justices Act and will appear in court today.

A 29-year-old Kirwan man will also appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today charged with one count of burglary, unlicensed driving, fail to stop, receiving tainted property and unlawful use of a motor vehicle and two counts of stealing.

An 18-year-old Cairns woman has been charged with one count of possession of a drug utensil (pipe) and is expected to appear at the Cairns Magistrates Court on June 13.

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