ZCZC
BFF-16
AUSTRALIA-CRIME-OFFBEAT
Aussie kids take stolen car on 1,000-kilometre road trip
SYDNEY, July 15, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Four children took a stolen four-wheel
drive on a 1,000-kilometre (620-mile) road trip across the Australian outback
before being nabbed by police, officials said Monday.
A 14-year-old boy, two 13-year-old boys and a 10-year-old girl began their
epic journey on Saturday when they took cash and packed fishing rods in a
vehicle belonging to one of their families in the coastal Queensland town of
Rockhampton, police said.
One of the children left a note for his family telling them of his plans.
Queensland police said the car was spotted early on Sunday morning in the
outback town of Banana, where the kids allegedly stole petrol, before
travelling south.
The car was found on Sunday night near Grafton, in the neighbouring state
of New South Wales, about 11 hours’ drive from Rockhampton.
New South Wales police said officers had to force their way into the
vehicle after the children refused to get out.
“They have locked themselves in the car and police have had to use a baton
to get in to arrest them,” Coffs-Clarence district acting inspector Darren
Williams told reporters.
It was not clear which of the children had been behind the wheel, but
Williams said it was likely they had shared the driving.
“It is a long way, in excess of 1,000 (km) from Rockhampton down to
Grafton,” he said.
“I couldn’t imagine one person driving that way in two days.”
Police are investigating several alleged offences committed during the
road trip, Williams said.
The children, who were found unharmed, have been taken into care.
Williams said it was unclear what prompted the children to take the trip,
but one of the boys was originally from Grafton.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1206 hrs