Kids brawl broken up
A LARGE brawl outside a shopping centre and an arson attack were among multiple incidents that kept Townsville police busy on a night of crime.
About 7.15pm on Thursday, emergency crews were called to Kmart on Ross River Rd for a fire.
Police confirmed three children set a fire in the camping section of the Aitkenvale shopping centre before running off.
A spokeswoman for Queensland Fire and Emergency Services said the fire was put out by the store’s sprinklers, which were triggered by the alarm system.
The store was evacuated before fire crews went in to inspect the scene.
Police quickly tracked down two of the boys and they were arrested nearby.
The two 15-year-olds were dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act, and will not face court.
A third boy was later tracked down and spoke with police on Friday.
The fire caused smoke damage to the store but no one was injured.
Hours later, a large number of people were involved in a fight outside Mcdonald’s, near Stockland Shopping Centre.
A police spokeswoman said the disturbance, just after 8pm, involved 30 juveniles.
They said a window at a bank was smashed in the fight.
Footage after the brawl shows an ambulance and five police cars, including the co-responder vehicle, parked near the scene.
About eight police officers can also be seen speaking to several people on the footpath.
The police spokeswoman said the group eventually dispersed and no charges had been laid.
Earlier on Thursday afternoon, police and emergency crews were also called to a car and bike crash at Dalrymple Rd, Garbutt about 6pm.
A 15-year-old boy was driving the motorbike at the time of the crash, and was found by paramedics in the bushes beside the road.
He was taken to Townsville University Hospital with some cuts.
Police are investigating whether the dirt bike was stolen but a spokeswoman said it had not been confirmed as a stolen vehicle yet.
No charges have been laid.