Two thirteen and two fourteen-year-old boys have been arrested after allegedly stealing petrol at knifepoint, driving at high speeds and leading police on a pursuit before crashing into a police vehicle.
About 1:30 pm yesterday (14 July 2022), ACT Policing received reports of teens in a Toyota Hilux stealing petrol at a Kippax 7/11 petrol station.
Soon after midnight this morning (Friday, 15 July), police spotted the same vehicle travelling at speed in Kaleen. A short time later it was observed travelling at about 150 km/h along Ginninderra Drive.
Police began to pursue the car but had to stop due to the nature of the reckless driving and the threat posed to the community.
The vehicle was located soon after travelling on Majura Avenue, Dickson, where police were able to successfully deploy stop-sticks. As the vehicle slowed, the driver lost control, causing it to cross a median strip and smash head-on into a stationary police vehicle.
This is the second time this week a police vehicle has been severely damaged due to a collision with a vehicle.
One officer was in the police vehicle and they suffered minor injuries not requiring hospital treatment.
Three of the boys were transported to hospital for assessment as they were not wearing seatbelts when the incident happened.
Police will allege that three of the four boys were already on bail for other criminal offences.
To assist with the investigation into this matter, ACT Policing is seeking witnesses to both the incident at 7/11 Kippax and the subsequent driving over the next 12 hours.
Anyone who witnessed the Hilux at the petrol station on Wednesday afternoon or who has dash-cam footage of the Hilux driving after this incident, should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.