‘I just stood frozen’: Mother clutches toddler as teens allegedly raid family home

Two teens accused of terrorising multiple families across south-east Queensland are back on the streets after an alleged midnight crime spree.

The 16- and 17-year-olds are facing a combined 18 charges over the alleged break-ins and stolen cars.

In Riverhills, CCTV captured a group of four moving door-to-door shortly after midnight, completely unfazed by security cameras as they approached properties.

Earlier at nearby Middle Park, footage showed the group spilling out of an allegedly stolen sports car before rifling through two BMWs parked outside a family home.

Police allege the group then moved inside the property, where a mother was at home with her young son.

Speaking anonymously, the woman said she was left frozen in shock.

“I was just in shock, I think, I couldn’t really believe what I was seeing ... it’s kind of like I stepped into a different dimension,” she said.

She had been in her two-year-old son’s bedroom moments before rounding the corner and seeing two strangers in her house. 

“By the time I rounded the corner, I saw two figures – one was already out the door, the other stopped and looked at me,” she said.

The group allegedly spent only minutes inside before taking off in the family’s black BMW.

“I just stood frozen, not knowing what to do, I had my baby in my hands and watched as my car drove away.”

Neighbour Sinem Piri said the incident had shaken the community.

“Didn’t expect that it could happen in this neighbourhood, but it’s very scary because I have a kid, and it could’ve happened to us as well,” she told 9News.

Police arrived quickly at the scene, having already monitored the teens across several other alleged break-ins in surrounding suburbs.

What the group didn’t realise was that the allegedly stolen BMW featured a built-in tracking app, handing officers their live location.

Police arrested the 16-year-old and 17-year-old in Bethania.

They were released ahead of their court appearances.