A man allegedly responsible for breaking into dozens of Townsville homes has been arrested by police after attempting to flee through a local hardware store yesterday morning.
It will be alleged the man broke into a West End residence around 1.30am on April 24 and stole property including a mobile phone as well as a Ford Falcon that was parked in the driveway.
The 55-year-old female victim of the theft tracked her phone to a Castletown service station where she and an associate located the stolen vehicle and approached the male driver.
The victim attempted to take her keys from the car and a struggle ensued between her and the man, during which she sustained minor injuries before he fled the scene on foot.
It is further alleged that the same man later attended a Currajong address where he stole a vehicle from a residence and drove it to Mount Louisa before abandoning it.
The man was spotted on Greg Jabs Drive at Garbutt around 9.30am where he allegedly fled from police and civilians who pursued him on foot into a nearby hardware store. The man then allegedly climbed on top of pallets and shelving to avoid arrest.
Police cordoned off the scene and took him into custody soon after.
The 19-year-old Currajong man was charged with 30 offences relating to break-ins and car thefts in the Townsville area.
The charges include 15 counts of burglary and commit indictable offence, four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of enter premises and commit indictable offence, two counts of stealing, and one count each of assault occasioning bodily harm, enter dwelling with intent, diving unlicensed (disqualified), possessing tainted property and possession of dangerous drugs.
He is due to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court today (April 25).
