18 January, 2023
Car chase ends at Oakey
Three teenagers were apprehended by police on Campbell Street at Oakey on Sunday, after stealing a car and trying to make off with another using a gel blaster.
After a dramatic pursuit taking in multiple streets in Toowoomba, the Warrego Highway and Oakey, police were able to apprehend the alleged car thieves.
The three teenagers had gone on break-in spree, after stealing a Toyota Rav 4 vehicle from a Kearneys Springs home early that morning.
Homes in Wilsonton Heights, Rangeville and in Oakey were targeted and broken into by the young offenders.
Police will allege the stolen vehicle was driven dangerously and at high speed around Toowoomba, with the police helicopter Polair tracking its movements.
It’s understood the vehicle passed through Oakey heading north-east out of town, before doubling back through Bridge Street and Campbell Street en-route to the BP service station.
Tyre deflation devices were deployed but were unsuccessful at two locations in Oakey before police vehicles pursuing the stolen Rav from Toowoomba arrived at the scene.
The occupants were arrested at the BP car park at around 5.15 on Sunday afternoon, when the driver was caught threatening interstate guests for a nearby wedding party, who had stopped at the service station for a drinks break.
The boy threatened bystanders at the scene with a gel blaster which was initially mistaken for a gun.
The two girls entered the NSW-plated car, in the front and back passenger seats, apparently waiting for their male accomplice to pick up the keys.
It was at this point that three police vehicles from Toowoomba arrived, blocking the exit points of the stolen Rav 4 vehicle from the car park.
Sergeant John Cook from Oakey Police was involved in the apprehension and transport of one offender to the Toowoomba Watchhouse.
A 16-years-old boy from Centenary Heights was arrested on the spot and charged with 21 offences including vehicle stealing, robbery and dangerous driving.
His passengers, two 17-years-old girls from Kingaroy and Kearneys Spring respectively, were taken into custody at the BP service station.
One of the girls was observed in tears at the scene, crying out that she wanted her mother with her.
One girl has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and is due to appear in the Toowoomba Children’s Court at a later date.
The second girl was dealt with under the provisions of the Youth Justice Act in relation to four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of possessing drug utensils.
It’s been reported police were still searching for two other vehicles related to the break-in spree earlier in the day.
Onlookers filmed the scene inside the BP, sharing it with news outlets, and on social media.
The incident marks the first major stolen vehicle police operation in Oakey for 2023.
