November 30, 2022
Five teenagers and an 11-year-old boy have been charged after Monday’s carjacking in Kingaroy.
Two of the group have also been charged with the theft of a motor vehicle from a good samaritan who stopped to help them in the rain.
A police spokesperson said it would be alleged at 9:00pm on Monday, a 24-year-old man was in a parked Holden Cruze sedan in Fisher Street, Kingaroy, when he was approached by a group of people who assaulted him and stole his wallet, phone and vehicle.
The 24-year-old man was transported to hospital with non life-threatening injuries.
A short time later, the vehicle was involved in the theft of fuel from a Youngman Street service station.
The vehicle was then sighted by members of the public and police in Cherbourg and Murgon throughout Tuesday, including a second fuel drive-off at a Murgon service station at midday.
About 2:45pm, the vehicle was repeatedly sighted travelling in the vicinity of Cherbourg State School.
At 4:15pm, the vehicle crashed on Barkers Creek Road at Booie and five occupants ran from the scene.
Two teenage girls were located by police nearby.
A 14-year-old Acacia Ridge girl and a 16-year-old Cherbourg girl have both been charged with one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and will appear in Kingaroy Children’s Court.
About 6:30pm, a woman stopped on the Burnett Highway to assist two teenage boys who were walking in the rain.
When she got out of her vehicle, the boys allegedly drove off in her Mitsubishi Pajero.
The woman was not physically injured.
Four males were subsequently located and taken into custody.
An 18-year-old Murgon man has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and failing to properly dispose of a needle.
He is expected to appear before Murgon Magistrates Court on December 20.
A 16-year-old Cherbourg boy has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
An 11-year-old Murgon boy has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and receiving tainted property.
A 15-year-old Cherbourg boy has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and breaking and entering.
The three boys will appear in Murgon Children’s Court.
The arrests followed a major police operation in Cherbourg on Wednesday with police stopping and checking vehicles entering and leaving the town, and other police patrolling streets.
- Related article: Police Hunt Carjacking Suspects
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Cherbourg Council issued a statement on Tuesday in the wake of the latest car thefts:
Mayor Elvie Sandow, fellow councillors and management wish to make it known we do NOT in any way condone car theft.
We share our community’s frustration and disgust at those who are endangering the lives of not just themselves and their friends, but our Gundoo, elders, uncles and aunties who live here.
You are not a hero or clever, stealing cars, speeding and skidding through our streets.
WHEN DOES THIS STOP?
When you kill yourself, a family member an innocent child? Is that the guilt you want to live with for the rest of your life?
You have no thought for yourself, your future or your mob …
You are not just giving yourself a bad name, you are giving our Cherbourg community a bad name and reputation.
What about them who you are stealing from? What happens to them? They work hard to feed their families, to pay their bills, raise their families. How much damage and hurt are your actions causing?
JUST STOP! THINK about what you are doing, all reckless and stupid.
We are not cheering you on. You are our shame and YOU should be ASHAMED of yourself.
Do the right thing and DO IT NOW!
Congratulations Mayor for your honest assessment of the situation your community was placed in.
But, hello, in this morning’s news are reports of other similar events throughout Qld.
This is a statewide problem not restricted to your community.
There has to be a change to our way of thinking and the way we live.
Well said Mayor, it needed to be said.
Well spoken. sister. Too young, won’t listen.
Mayor Elvie Sandow – very proud that you call it as you see it. No one could argue against your principles. This behavior is not acceptable.
Your comments apply to all races and religions, not just in Cherbourg. It’s totally unacceptable!
Mayor Elvie, you are a strong leader and deserve recognition for your efforts. But how is the problem fixed? That’s the question.
I totally agree with you Keith Campbell.
A lot talk about the perpetrators but not a word about the victim who was bashed and robbed and callously left bloodied and beaten.