Citizens help in arrest
Two men trap accused offender in stolen vehicle then call police
TWO suspected car thieves are in custody after their getaway was thwarted by residents.
The alleged offenders were sighted casing homes in Mt Lofty shortly before 7.30am on Tuesday while driving a stolen Skoda wagon and a stolen Toyota Camry.
One resident parked his ute in the middle of the road, blocking the Skoda and forcing the Camry to mount the kerb and hit a post.
A second man pulled in behind the Skoda to stop it from reversing out of the traffic jam while the other man held the driver’s side door closed.
Both vehicles were stolen from Rangeville overnight.
Police were called to the scene, arrested a juvenile, and located his co-offender after a brief pursuit.
TWO suspected car thieves are in police custody after their getaway was thwarted by a citizens’ arrest.
The alleged offenders were sighted casing homes in Mt Lofty shortly before 7.30am on Tuesday while driving a stolen Skoda wagon and a stolen Toyota Camry.
Residents of the suburb warned their neighbours, two of whom were travelling along Bridge Street when they got the message.
One of the men parked his ute in the middle of the road, blocking the Skoda and forcing the Camry to mount the kerb and hit a post.
A second man pulled in behind the Skoda to stop it from reversing out of the traffic jam while the other man held the driver’s side door closed.
Both vehicles were stolen from Rangeville overnight.
“I saw two young men in hoodies driving the cars, so I did a U-turn and followed them,” one man said.
“I did my part to make sure they could not get away.”
Police were called to the scene and arrested a juvenile while locating his co-offender after a brief foot pursuit.
Toowoomba Detective Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said both teens remained in police custody but were yet to be changed when The Chronicle went to print.
The alleged offenders were known to police and were wanted in connection to a string of property crimes. Both will face Toowoomba Childrens Court today.