Arrest within days of release

A PROLIFIC juvenile offender has been charged with stealing a car just days after being released from detention.

The boy, 13, was found hiding in a Kirwan property roof after allegedly stealing a Nissan Navara with an accomplice about 12.30am on Boxing Day.

The Townsville Bulletin understands the boy, 13, who has since been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and burglary, had only been released from Cleveland Youth Detention Centre on December 20.

The boy, who is in state care, had been missing since not long after he was released.

Police have described him as a “serial missing person”.

Townsville Police duty district officer Senior Sergeant Craig Hosie said officers had been alerted to the vehicle theft throughout the night and it was eventually dumped on Feather Court, Kirwan.

He said two juveniles were seen fleeing the vehicle and the dog squad was used to track them to a nearby property.

Sen-sgt Hosie said the juveniles were allegedly found in the roof cavity of a house wellknown to police.

In October, in an unusual move, a magistrate allowed media to hear the 13-year-old boy’s shocking criminal history in court for his part in a horror crime spree.

Coincidentally, he was in court over a stolen Nissan Navara, which was one of the vehicles seen driving at speed on the wrong side of the road, crossing over median strips in Townsville’s suburbs during a spike in crime.

In November, it was revealed he was accused of stealing more vehicles from across Townsville.

His co-accused in the latest offending was also well-known to police and was charged with burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The keys to the Nissan Navara were allegedly found on one of the boys.

“It’s extremely disappointing that our youth offenders in the area take advantage of this time of year, that is supposed to be about families getting together and enjoying each other’s company,” Sen-sgt Hosie said.

“Townsville police don’t like to see this sort of thing occur at this time, let alone any time of year.

“We are working our hardest to try to maintain peace and sanctity on our roads and streets and these individuals are putting other people at risk.”