Youths arrested in stolen car

About 11.20pm Thursday 16 January police were called to a service station on Main North Road, Smithfield, after reports a Subaru Forester had filled up with petrol and driven away without paying.

Checks on the vehicle revealed it had been stolen from a Craigmore address on Tuesday 14 January.

PolAir was flying in the area and about 10 minutes later spotted the car speeding along Forrestall Road, Elizabeth Downs, before it turned onto Uley Road then north on Main North Road.

PolAir tracked the Subaru as it travelled through the back streets of Smithfield, Blakeview and Craigmore, keeping patrols on the ground informed of its location.

About midnight the Subaru crashed into the kerb at the intersection of Craigmore Road and Adams Road damaging the front right tyre, the occupants of the car fleeing in all directions. Luckily, patrols had already converged in the area and were able quickly locate and arrest six people, including the alleged driver, a 15-year-old Craigmore boy.

The other alleged occupants were a 16-year-old Craigmore boy, 13-year-old Windsor Gardens boy, 16-year-old Blakeview boy, 16-year-old Elizabeth Downs boy and 17-year-old Elizabeth Vale boy.

They have all been charged with illegal use of motor vehicle, the driver was further charged with breach of bail and drive unauthorised. They were all bailed to appear in the Elizabeth Youth Court on 28 February. The car was towed from the scene.