General News
15 January, 2025
Police lay charges after dramatic scenes near Camooweal
A truck, believed to be stolen, made a dash from the NT into Queensland, according to Mount Isa police.
Mount Isa police had to commandeer the LifeFlight helicopter to transport officers to Camooweal so it could help in the pursuit of a stolen truck that had crossed into Queensland after speeding along more than 400km of Northern Territory highway before it eventually crashed into a tree stump on an unsealed road in the North West.
Police believe the Mitsubishi truck was originally stolen from a Tennant Creek property at about 1am last Thursday and was then used in the theft of further property from a Barkly Homestead business before the culprits drove across the Queensland border at about 9.30am.
Mount Isa’s officer-in-charge, Senior
Sergeant Adrian Rieck said NT police tipped off local police about the truck and the LifeFlight helicopter was deployed to transport police to Camooweal to provide additional support to local officers.
He said security camera footage allegedly captured the vehicle driving down the main street of Camooweal at about 100km/h in a 50km/h zone.
“Three of the alleged offenders were inside the cabin of the truck, and another three alleged offenders were seen to be riding unsecured on an exposed platform between the cabin and the trailer of the truck, putting themselves in a very dangerous position.” Senior Sergeant Rieck said.
“They are believed to have driven like this from Tennant Creek.
“Due to the position of some of the alleged offenders, police could not engage tyre deflation devices safely.
“However, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a tree stump about 15km down the unsealed the Gregory Downs Camooweal Road.
“The vehicle has come to a stop and the alleged offenders have allegedly run from the scene.”
Senior Sergeant Rieck said police located the group a short time later walking along the road.
“The Northern Territory and Queensland Police Service have worked well, sharing information in a timely manner to help apprehend these alleged offenders and hold them to account for their alleged crimes,” he said.
Police have charged a 19-year-old Tennant Creek man, who was the alleged driver, with four offences, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle in company, bringing stolen goods into Queensland, dangerous operation of a vehicle and driving unlicenced.
A 20-year-old Tennant Creek man has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle in company and bringing stolen goods into Queensland.
A 19-year-old Camooweal man has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle in company and bringing stolen goods into Queensland.
A 25-year-old man has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle in company and bringing stolen goods into Queensland.
A 19-year-old Tennant Creek man has been charged with unlawful use of a motor vehicle in company and bringing stolen goods into Queensland.
Police said a 17-year-old Yallambie Reserve boy had been dealt with under provisions of the Youth Justice Act.
FLYING SQUAD LAUNCHED
The state government this week launched an integrated “State Flying Squad” to swoop on crime hotspots across the state.
The squad of 58 specialist officers will be deployed to high-risk areas, including Mount Isa, to strategically target Queensland’s worst juvenile and adult offenders.
The state government has committed $32.4 million in funding over five years to the squad, which will absorb officers who are currently attached to operations including Taskforce Guardian and Operation Whiskey Legion.
Premier David Crisafulli said bolstering Queensland’s crime offensive with the largest ever police flying squad was just one of the ways the government was delivering on its commitment to restore public safety.
“This squad will strike at the heart of crime and help restore community safety across the state,” he said.
“The State Flying Squad represents a new era of policing and will give communities the backup needed, when they need it.”