An 18-year-old man is facing multiple charges after allegedly driving a stolen vehicle towards children during a training session at Aspley Little Athletics on Wednesday evening.
Around 50 junior athletes, aged between under-8s and under-17s, were training at the facility when a grey Jeep Compass entered the field and began driving erratically, according to witnesses and police.
Andrea Taft, centre manager of Aspley Little Athletics, said the incident unfolded quickly and left many in shock.
She initially believed the vehicle belonged to a member, but it soon became clear something was wrong when the car began swerving towards children on the field.
Coaches and volunteers immediately worked to evacuate the oval, directing children to safety along the embankments whilst the vehicle performed dangerous manoeuvres on the training area.
One parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the frightening scene as the car tore up over the back embankment and drove across the field before performing a doughnut. When one parent attempted to block the vehicle’s path, the car allegedly pushed them aside at low speed.
Ms Taft praised the quick response of coaches and volunteers who managed to keep all children safe during the incident. Whilst no one suffered physical injuries, she acknowledged the emotional impact on families and young athletes.
The incident began earlier that evening when police were called to Harcourt Street in Fortitude Valley at approximately 5.15pm following reports of an assault and vehicle theft. The stolen Jeep was then allegedly driven dangerously through several northside suburbs before arriving at the Aspley athletics facility.
With assistance from the Dog Squad and police helicopter POLAIR, officers tracked the vehicle to Sheena Street in Zillmere, where it struck a parked car and stopped around 7.15pm. The driver, an 18-year-old Stafford man, allegedly fled on foot towards Deborah Street where he was arrested and taken to hospital under police guard.
Police expect to charge the man with robbery with violence, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a vehicle, and driving without a licence.
The training field sustained damage including tyre marks across various sections. Brisbane City Council has responded quickly to arrange repairs and is conducting a security audit of all access points to the facility.
Ms Taft said the club had been in the process of securing council funding for CCTV cameras prior to the incident, though none were installed at the time.
The centre manager said discussions are underway about whether to proceed with Saturday’s planned competition or postpone it, recognising that some members may still feel shaken.
Aspley Little Athletics posted on social media on Thursday, describing it as a distressing incident and offering support to anyone who required assistance.
Fortitude Valley Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Bull thanked members of the public who reported sightings of the stolen vehicle throughout the incident. Police are appealing for anyone with dashcam footage to come forward.
The club is working closely with Brisbane City Council to improve security measures and help restore confidence amongst members and families following the incident.
Published 26-September-2025