Arrests in brutal bus stop bashing

A TEENAGE girl was left battered and bruised after she was allegedly assaulted by a group of girls at a Townsville bus stop.

Police allege about 1.45pm on Thursday, the 18-year-old victim was on a bus with another girl when a verbal fight started between them and another group of three teenagers.

Both groups got off the bus at Stockland Shopping Centre where the group of three girls, aged 15 and 17, police allege started assaulting the other two. During the scuffle, the 18year-old dropped her bag and one of the alleged offenders picked it up and started rifling through it.

They found her mobile phone, allegedly stole it and ran off.

Police were called and the group of three girls were found nearby a short time later.

At least two of the alleged offenders are well known to police, and have allegedly been involved in multiple property offences in the past year.

They were allegedly involved in a horrific stolen car crash at Railway Estate in April, where the stolen car crashed into an innocent driver and flipped.

The stolen red Nissan had run a red light and ploughed into the other car near Ross Island Hotel.

As the dust settled on the car, five juveniles emerged from its crumpled body and began to flee the scene.

Quick action by the patrons of the pub and local residents saw four of the five held until police arrived.

The three girls have all been charged over the latest incident.

A 15-year-old Deeragun girl was charged with two counts of common assault, receiving tainted property, stealing and trespass.

Another 15-year-old girl from Deeragun was charged with two counts of assault and trespass.

A 17-year-old Mount Louisa girl was charged with unlawful possession of a weapon, stealing, receiving tainted property and three counts of common assault.

All three girls were refused police bail and appeared in Townsville Childrens Court on Friday.

The arrests come after a police crackdown on youth offenders after a spate of attacks on officers, which saw extra officers fly to Townsville to saturate the streets.

Police cars had bricks thrown at them, officers were injured in the attacks and a number of teens and adults were arrested and charged with serious offences following the week-long siege by the alleged criminals.

Operation Tango Capella, which ran from September 8 to September 17, resulted in 22 juveniles arrested on 63 charges.

More than half of these juveniles were arrested on property offences. Police also arrested 31 adults on 80 offences, with six of those arrested on property offences.