Gone in 90 seconds: Brazen car thieves target couple, sports star
Brazen car thieves have stolen a four-wheel-drive in less than 90 seconds, as police fear it’s the same thieves who crept past sleeping children to steal another car just kilometres away.
Megan Shelton’s Ford Territory was parked in the driveway of her Burleigh Waters home, when a silver sedan pulled up.
“They saw the keys, jumped in and just drove away,” Ms Shelton said.
“It happened so quick, we heard the roar of the car going down the street and it was gone.”
Ms Shelton said the thieves stole the car in less than 90 seconds as her husband was loading things into the back of the car.
“He would have been gone for a few minutes,” she said.
“We were all home inside the house.”
Police believe the car theft is linked to another theft in nearby Robina.
The thieves broke into Nathan Barker’s garage, crept past his young children’s bedrooms, and stole wallets and a Mitsubishi Outlander.
“You just think that it can’t happen to you and you go to bed one night, with your kids and you wake up the next morning and your car’s gone,” Mr Barker said.
It’s also believed the group is linked to a road rage attack on an unnamed Australian swim star.
It’s understood the swimmer had a soft drink thrown at her car during an incident with a stolen 4WD.
One man has been arrested in relation to the week-long crime spree.
Joshua Ben Drankhahn, 18, was arrested on Thursday morning and faced the Southport court on Friday on 22 charges, including burglary and breach of bail.
Drankhahn has been remanded in custody with police still investigating alleged accomplices.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
