Girl, 13, among knife- spree teens

SIX teenagers, including a 13- year- old girl, have been arrested and charged over a violent knifewielding crime spree across Townsville.

Townsville police’s Taskforce Quebec Sturgeon, a major operation set up after Friday morning’s crime wave, made a series of arrests at the weekend.

An 18- year- old man has been remanded in custody until August 8, while four other teens faced court yesterday after police opposed their bail.

The community was shaken on Friday morning after a series of carjackings and armed robberies, during which a group of young people pulled knives or screwdrivers on schoolchildren and a mother.

The alleged crime spree took place across Kirwan and resulted in a major investigation that included at least 15 detectives joined by tactical crime squad, dog squad and general duties officers.

Townsville crime services group detective Acting Inspector Phil Watts said six teens, including an 18year- old male, 13- year- old girl, 14- year- old girl, 16year- old boy and two 15- year- old boys had all been arrested after a rapid response from police.

They were charged with 20 offences including armed robbery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Acting- Insp Watts said there had been two main instigators and the other teens were on the “fringes” of the offences.

He said the victims had not been specifically targeted. “It would appear that it was a spur- of- themoment decision,” he said.