Over the weekend, police managed to locate two stolen vehicles using tracking devices installed in each vehicle.
A white 2020 Toyota Hilux was reportedly stolen from a garage at an address on Outridge Street, Ipswich, around 4am on Saturday 13 May.
The vehicle was equipped with GPS tracking, which enabled the informant to tell police the direction of travel.
At around 6.30am that morning they alerted police that the vehicle was parked on the Gateway Motorway in Nudgee.
Police responded quickly and located the Hilux with a damaged wheel, stopped at the spot indicated and spoke to witnesses who provided a description of two men who had been seen fleeing the allegedly stolen vehicle.
Two men matching the descriptions were located nearby by police and taken to Hendra Police Station.
An 18-year-old man from Bundamba has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and willful entry into a home and is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court on June 6.
A 15-year-old boy from Riverview was charged with entering a home and committing a criminal offense, using a motor vehicle unlawfully and intentionally entering a home. He was remanded in custody to appear before Brisbane Children’s Court at a later date.
In a second, unrelated incident, a brand new Mercedes A35 was stolen from the driveway of a home in Manet Crescent, Forest Lake, around 5 a.m. Sunday, May 14.
Using the Mercedes tracking app, the victim was able to provide police with an address on Charlie Street in Zillmere.
The police took the address and located the vehicle parked in a shared driveway.
Further investigations led police to a nearby home where a 17-year-old boy was believed to have the keys to the Mercedes and other vehicles.
A 17-year-old Zillmere boy has been charged with unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and two counts of theft of property. He was remanded in custody to appear in Brisbane Children’s Court at a later date.
While police recommend installing a GPS tracker in your vehicle, good vehicle and key security will also help reduce the risk of car theft.
- Always lock your vehicle, including the trunk and sunroof, and remember to fully close all windows.
- Always keep your keys out of sight and never leave vehicle keys on tables, benches, bedside tables or key hooks.
- Remove the ignition keys and lock your vehicle when your vehicle is parked or unattended, even if just for a minute.
- Never hide spare keys on or in your vehicle – thieves know where to look.
- If you leave your car unattended, remove all valuables and personal items or make sure they are out of sight.
- Always take your vehicle keys with you when you go out, even if you leave your vehicle at home.
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