Police say men who stole carer van were on crime spree

Two young men who hijacked a carer van containing an elderly dementia patient and took it on a dangerous joy ride on the Sunshine Coast had been on a two-week crime spree, police allege.

The 76-year-old was in the BlueCare van, which had stopped to drop an elderly man home on Hinkler Parade in Maroochydore, when two men allegedly took the wheel.

Police say one of the men kicked a carer who tried to stop them in the chest.

The van was allegedly seen being driven on the wrong side of the road, running a red light, speeding and being driven erratically, sparking a spate of calls to police from the public.

The van was finally stopped, just over an hour later, on Broadmeadows Road, with police using a tyre deflation device.

"Police took the opportunity to intercept the vehicle and fortunately that man wasn't injured in any way," Detective Senior Sergeant Daren Edwards said.

"They were clearly on a rampage so to speak."

Jarred Taylor Strafford, 20, of Warana, and Dean Robert Richards, 23 of Wurtulla were charged with a string of offences, including unlawful use of a motor vehicle, deprivation of liberty, robbery in company and burglary.

Mr Richards was also charged with unlicensed driving, evade police and drink driving.

Both men fronted court today. No application was made for bail and they will remain behind bars until their next court appearance in August.

The elderly man was not harmed but was taken to hospital for observation, police said.