Police have arrested four teenagers over an alleged crime spree in North Queensland that included the assault of an 81-year-old woman in her home and the crashing of two stolen cars on a main road.
Officers said two stolen vehicles and a third car were spotted driving dangerously in a "convoy" around Townsville just before midday on Friday.
District Duty Officer Senior Sergeant Scot Warwick said an officer in an unmarked police car saw one of the cars driving "erratically" along a grass median strip on Dalrymple Road in the suburb of Garbutt.
"[One of the cars] moved onto the grass median strip and was weaving in and out of trees," Senior Sergeant Warwick said.
Initial investigations suggest one of the cars lost control before crashing into the other vehicle side-on.
A group of teenagers then fled the scene before allegedly leading police and the dog squad on a foot chase through a local primary school.
One female was arrested at the scene and another three were taken into custody nearby.
Elderly woman allegedly assaulted
Police alleged three teenagers then broke into a home on Bayswater Road and violently assaulted an 81-year-old woman who had refused to hand over her car keys.
Officers alleged one of the teenagers punched the woman in the face.
Senior Sergeant Warwick said the alleged incident was "absolutely horrific and disgusting".
"She is absolutely terrified and in a great deal of shock … we will do everything we can to support her," he said.
Police also alleged the occupants of one of the vehicles harassed and "threatened to shoot" a group of pedestrians earlier on Friday morning.
"At this stage there's no evidence to confirm there are firearms in any of the vehicles … but it was a verbal threat and nonetheless caused deep concern to those people involved," Senior Sergeant Warwick said.
He said the teenagers were lucky to be alive.
"How the four-wheel-drive did not roll is beyond me," Senior Sergeant Warwick said.
"We've all seen in recent times the tragedies that happen, vehicles at high speed rolling, occupants not wearing seatbelts.
"[They have] placed other people in danger, police in danger.
"It's unacceptable and it's got to stop."
One of the cars was allegedly stolen overnight from an address in Annandale, while the second vehicle was allegedly stolen earlier this week from a North Ward address.
Police were expecting to charge the two teenage boys and two girls in custody with multiple offences.
Senior Sergeant Warwick said he was frustrated by the behaviour.
"I'm frustrated; my crews are frustrated. You know how often we come to jobs like this," he said.
"My main concern is people's safety. I don't want to see anyone lose their life.
"No one wants to see anymore serious deaths as a result of this activity."
Investigations continue.
