Police have arrested eight people after a stolen police vehicle was recovered near Townsville this morning, 6 April.
Officers were initially responding to reports of several stolen vehicles being driven within the Townsville area around 11am.
The unmarked police vehicle was unoccupied and parked on the side of the Bruce Highway at Alligator Creek, with officers deploying a tyre deflation device on the stolen vehicles nearby.
Following the successful deployment of the tyre deflation device on two of the vehicles, several occupants fled on foot, with some gaining access to the nearby police vehicle and driving it off.
Officers tracked the police vehicle through the Townsville area before locating it abandoned on Beatrice Street in Aitkenvale at 12.23pm. No items from the vehicle were reported missing.
A stolen blue 2020 Ford Ranger and a stolen grey 2019 BMW vehicle were intercepted and recovered near Alligator Creek.
A stolen orange 2025 LDV T60 utility was later recovered at Jerona, and a stolen white 2021 MG was intercepted at Shirbourne.
A 19-year-old man, an 18-year-old woman and six juveniles have been taken into custody in relation to the incidents and are assisting police with their enquiries.
Investigations are ongoing.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
