CAR THIEVES LEAD COPS ON EIGHT- HOUR CHASE

HOONS CHARGE AROUND CITY WITHOUT CARE

FIVE thieves led police on a dramatic eight- hour chase across Townsville yesterday, dangerously driving stolen cars, breaking into homes and attacking residents.

Police crews were called to areas from Dalrymple Rd to Railway Estate yesterday amid a crime spree which started in Cairns.

It’s believed the youths are known to police, who have been on high alert after the return to the city of a notorious offender in recent weeks.

Police were still looking for five youths late last night after losing sight of a stolen car yesterday afternoon.

Police were alerted about 1am yesterday that a white Toyota Camry and white Holden Commodore had been stolen from a home at Mt Sheridan in Cairns.

Police used road spikes on the Bruce Highway near Yabulu about 6am yesterday in an attempt to stop the stolen cars, but were only able to deflate the tires of the Holden.

A 19- year- old Kirwan man, who was allegedly driving the vehicle, was arrested and charged over a string of property crime offences between August 17 to yesterday.

He will face Townsville e Magistrates Court today charged with three counts each of burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The Toyota – which policee believe contained five youths – then drove to a home at Second St in Railway Estate where there was an attempted carjacking about 7am.

Thieves confronted a 57- year- old man who was gettingg out of his car before kicking and punching him when he refused to hand over his keys. They stole his mobile phone before fleeing in the Toyota.

The man was taken to Townsville Hospital with serious injuries, including multiple fractures.

The thieves then drove to Minaret Way in Mount Louisa where they tried to break into a home.

The front window was damaged with a sling shot.

Then at 11am, the thieves stole about $ 880 worth of alcohol from the BWS bottleshop on Bayswater Rd, where the driver threatened to assault a staff member.

The car then fled towards Idalia where one passenger stole a Toyota LandCruiser from a home at Sanctuary Drive about 11.30am.

A woman there was threatened by one of the offenders, who showed a knife out of the window of the Camry and swore at her.

The Toyota Camry was later dumped at Kallanda St in Mount Louisa where police found it about 1.15pm.

About 1.25pm, the Rapid Action and Patrol Group tried to stop the LandCruiser, however a pursuit was authorised after the attempt failed.

Officers followed the vehicle for about 10km before police lost sight of it near Bamford Lane at Kirwan.

A shocking video emerged of the stolen four- wheel- drive being driven at speed through a Vincent park yesterday, with police in pursuit.

Regional District Officer Inspector Mark Jackson said it was believed the thieves were known to police.

“We believe they are well known to police and the jus-

THESE PEOPLE HAVE PRESENTED A SERIOUS THREAT … IT’S A COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR THE SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY

INSPECTOR MARK JACKSON