Vigilantes confront group of teen gang members in an alleged stolen car outside Cairns Hungry Jacks

Vigilantes confront a group of teen gang members in an alleged stolen car as they enter a Hungry Jack’s car park – but cops advise against trying to help them do their job

  • Vigilantes stop gang members allegedly stealing hire cars outside Hungry Jack’s
  • Gang of six allegedly broke in and stole Toyota Corollas from Thrifty rental car 
  • Vigilantes managed to track down one car and corner the teenagers

Vigilantes have stopped teenage gang members allegedly stealing hire cars by cornering and confronting the men outside a fast food restaurant.

The gang of six allegedly smashed into a Thrifty car rental business in Cairns’ CBD at 7pm on Wednesday night before breaking away in three Toyota Corollas.

Vigilantes managed to track down two of the alleged thieves, believed to be 14-years-old, in a white sedan outside a Hungry Jack’s, surrounding the vehicle so they couldn’t flee. 

‘As police we don’t encourage any form of vigilantism,’ Senior Constable Matt Cornish said.

‘So if you do see a vehicle that you deem to be suspicious or suspect that has been stolen we encourage people to contact police on triple zero immediately.

‘Don’t attempt to interfere or intercept the vehicle in any way.’

The three allegedly stolen Thrifty cars were located in different locations around the city – one on the Bruce Highway at Woree, while the other two in the CBD. 

Police allege the gang had found keys inside the company's Sheridan Street building, before smashing the window of the car lot

Vigilantes have stopped gang members allegedly stealing hire cars by cornering and confronting the men outside a Cairns Hungry Jacks

Police allege the gang had found keys inside the company’s Sheridan Street building, before smashing the window of the car lot.

‘Obviously these are only suspects at this stage and we anticipate once arrests have been made charges will be laid,’ Snr Const Cornish said. 

He discouraged anyone acting as vigilants, saying citizens could potentially face charges themselves if the situation got violent. 

‘People might feel like this is the right thing to do. (But) if you do commit a violent offence against someone, you could be charged yourself,’ he said.