Ute grab and smash
POLICE are calling for help to find a badly damaged white ute stolen from a Townsville business.
The ute was rammed through the security gates of the Manheim Fowles auction centre, Ingham Rd, Garbutt in a brazen theft.
Police are asking people to be on the lookout for the white Holden Rodeo dualcab utility, which has been sighted in the Townsville area since the offence.
Townsville Police District Duty Officer Senior Sergeant Matt Lyons said someone broke into the auction yard, possibly by jumping the fence, about 11pm on Saturday. They managed to start the ute.
“They have tried to exit the yard through a rear gate, causing extensive damage to the gate but this was unsuccessful,” Sen- Sgt Lyons said.
“They’ve then used considerable force, ramming the vehicle through the front gate of the business, causing extensive damage.”
Sen- Sgt Lyons said it was not known if the thief had obtained the keys to the car before the offence.
He said the vehicle was sighted by police near Riverway Drive later that morning, but officers lost sight of the ute after a short attempt to stop the car.
“The stolen vehicle is believed to be extensively damaged and we’d like to hear off any member of the public who may have seen this vehicle or has any information on the whereabouts of it or the persons involved in the theft,” Sen- Sgt Lyons said.
“This is a crime where the damage to the company and vehicle far outweighs any need to need to do things like this.”
It is understood the tray of the utility was most severely impacted in the theft.
Anyone with information on the incident should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Police Link on 131 444.