Dramatic footage has captured the moment four teens were arrested during an alleged stolen car chase on a major Brisbane freeway, with one of the youths threatening to commit more crimes during a livestream of the joyride.
Acting Detective Superintendent Craig Williams revealed the disturbing allegation on Monday after confirming two of the youths charged over the vehicle theft at the weekend were “serious repeat offenders” on the police radar.
Andrew Massingham, Acting Assistant Commissioner for Youth Crime, has since promised to crack down on juvenile crime over 2024, issuing a stark warning that their time “livestreaming” and driving without regard for other road users “will quickly come to an end this year”.
“We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Massingham said.
“People deserve to feel safe in their homes and when travelling on the roads, and we will do everything in our power to ensure people who commit this kind of dangerous offending are brought to justice.
Police will allege the crime spree began early Saturday morning when a black Audi S3 was stolen from an address in Bardon, in Brisbane’s west.
“It was quickly established the people responsible for that were serious repeat offenders who were juvenile,” Superintendent Williams said on Monday.
Polair later tracked the vehicle throughout Logan, Pine Rivers and north and south Brisbane.
A tyre deflation device was successfully deployed on the car as it drove through the Deception Bay area at 8pm.
“The vehicle continued to travel on all four rims on Gympie Arterial Rd (in Carseldine),” Superintendent Williams said.
He said the group was livestreaming from the vehicle during the chase, with one teen allegedly making threats to commit “further offences and steal a further vehicle.”
In the footage, the car can be seen coming to a halt on the freeway before members of the group attempt to flee.
Police confirmed all four were arrested.
A Zillmere boy, 17, has been charged with enter dwelling and commit, receiving tainted property, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and unlicensed driving.
Another 16-year-old, from Chermside West, has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
Both will appear before the Brisbane Children’s Court at a later date.
Superintendent Williams said the Chermside West boy was alleged to have livestreamed the incident.
He said the boy was a “significant” offender wanted at the time over five arrest warrants for property offences, and was being targeted by police.
Superintendent Williams said the boy was also facing multiple charges of burglary and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
A 15-year-old Ormiston girl has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and will also face the Children’s Court at a later date.
She will also appear before the Brisbane Children’s Court at a later date.
An 18-year-old Zillmere man has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle and obstruct police.
He is expected to appear before the Brisbane Magistrates Court on January 30.