Qld teen girl nabbed over car theft spree

A 15-year-old girl has been arrested over a series of car thefts in central and north Queensland.

The teenager was allegedly driving one of three stolen cars on the Bruce Highway, south of Townsville, on Thursday when she swerved off the road to avoid tyre spikes deployed by police.

She was arrested at the scene, but the heat from the engine then caused a grass fire that engulfed the white Holden SUV.

Two other cars, a gold Mazda and an aqua Subaru SUV, dodged police and were last seen heading towards Townsville.

Police allege the group are responsible for a series of recent car thefts in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay.