Teen car thief admits ‘rush’ is addictive

Queensland police say an increase in the number of vehicle thefts by young people is not due to an increase in offenders, but the same offenders growing more brazen.

In the state’s south east, kids are stealing cars in record numbers, with vehicle thefts up 18 per cent in North Brisbane, 20 per cent in Ipswich and 26 per cent on the Gold Coast.

In Logan and South Brisbane, there has been a 30 per cent increase.

Detective Superintendent Tony Fleming told 9News it’s the same juveniles thumbing their nose at lawmakers and re-offending.

“We are seeing that very small number who just don't care and they will continue to offend,” he said.

9News spoke to one young man who confessed to having stolen cars.

He said the “rush” was addictive.

“You see a car and you think like ‘oh that would be fun to drive’,” the young man, who cannot legally be identified, said.

“You get in, you look for keys. If there are no keys you try the house.”

When asked if he ever thinks about the consequences of his actions, he said he was “fairly remorseful” and knew that a jail sentence “ruins the rest of your life” but said he simply couldn’t help himself.

“You just get drawn to it,” he said.