JAILHOUSE CROCK
Teen car rampage suspect let out on bail
A TEENAGER charged over his alleged involvement in a crime spree spanning Cairns and Townsville has walked free from the watch- house on bail.
Dean McLennan, 19, was granted watch- house bail on Sunday after he was allegedly dragged from a stolen car that had been stopped with spikes near Yabulu that morning.
He was given bail after being charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and three counts of burglary.
Yesterday police arrested an 18- year- old man, who had allegedly been involved in the incident, but he was later released without any charge being laid.
Another teen, 16, was arrested at the same home and is facing multiple charges over the spree, including unlawful use of cars, burglary and robbery.
A TEENAGER charged for his involvement in a crime spree spanning Cairns and Townsville has walked free from the watch- house on bail.
Dean McLennan, 19, was granted watch- house bail on Sunday after he was allegedly dragged from a stolen car that had been stopped with spikes near Yabulu that morning.
But he was granted bail just hours later after he was charged with three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and three counts of burglary.
And yesterday Townsville police arrested an 18- year- old man, who had allegedly been involved in the incident, although he was later released without any charge being laid.
Another teen, 16, was arrested at the same home and is facing multiple charges, including unlawful use of cars, burglary and robbery.
At least four young criminals are still on the run, with police sources telling the Bulletin they may have fled town and are headed to Mackay.
The arrests are believed to have only merely slowed down the crime spree, which began on Saturday night with the theft of two cars in Cairns.
The thieves are then accused of committing an offence in Cardwell on the way to Townsville before police deployed spike strips on the Bruce Highway at 6am.
That operation resulted in the recovery of a stolen Holden Commodore and the arrest of McLennan.
But a stolen Toyota Camry eluded police and was linked to numerous crimes across Townsville on Sunday.
Inspector Mark Jackson said the gang assaulted a 57- year- old man in Railway Estate at 7am.
He had exited from his car when four men approached him.
When he refused to hand over his car keys, he was kicked and punched by the men, who also stole his phone.
Yesterday the man was in a stable condition in hospital, with his home fence padlocked shut.
The Bulletin spoke to his neighbours, who were oblivious that a crime had taken place.
District duty officer Darren Randall described it as a “savage beating” and said police would upgrade assault charges to grievous bodily harm.
The gang also attempted a breakin at another location and then are suspected of robbing a hotel in Garbutt at 11.10am, where a large quantity of alcohol was taken.
“They also stole another fourwheel- drive vehicle and they did so by threatening the owner with a knife,” Insp Jackson said.
“The Toyota Camry was dumped yesterday afternoon and they used the 4WD to lay low overnight.”
Early yesterday morning a grey Toyota HiLux was stolen and the LandCruiser 4WD was dumped.
Insp Jackson defended the response of police, describing it as a “complex and dynamic” situation.
“We have to be aware of the safety of the public and we can’t endanger in practices which can endanger the lives of other people,” he said.
“We apply what resources, tactics and skills we have available to us.”
The alleged offenders had earlier posted a “selfie” on social media and Insp Jackson said they were motivated by notoriety to some degree.