Nine teenagers have been charged after a police vehicle was stolen while officers were trying to stop car thieves.
Dramatic arrest footage has been released after the unmarked police vehicle was recovered in north Queensland and three officers were injured and taken to hospital.
Officers had responded to reports of several stolen cars being driven around Townsville about 11am on Monday, police said.
The unmarked police car was parked on the side of the Bruce Highway south of Townsville while officers deployed a tyre deflation device on the stolen vehicles.
Several occupants fled two of the suspected stolen cars that were stopped by the device and some jumped into the unmarked police vehicle before driving off.
"During the incident three police officers were injured and transported to Townsville University Hospital for treatment," police said in a statement.
The police car was found abandoned about 90 minutes later 30km away at Aitkenvale.
"No items from the vehicle were reported missing," police said.
Two boys - aged 15 and 16 - were on Tuesday arrested over the police vehicle theft and charged with multiple offences.
Both were refused bail to appear in Townsville Children's Court on Wednesday.
Another seven teens were earlier charged over multiple stolen cars, police said.
Three stolen vehicles were intercepted as far away as Shirbourne, about 55km south of Townsville.
Another car was recovered even further away at Jerona, 80km south of Townsville.
Two suspected offenders were arrested on the Bruce Highway at Alligator Creek Road, south of Townsville, about 11.30am on Monday, while another five were located at Shirbourne.
An eighth person was taken into custody at Shirbourne but released without charge.
Police arrest footage showed officers handcuffing teens on the side of the road.
An officer is seen finding a teen in long grass on the side of the road during the arrests.
"Get down right now. Get your hands behind your back," he yells.
The seven teens - aged 14 to 18 - have been charged with multiple offences. The were refused police bail and expected to appear in Townsville Childrens and Magistrates Courts on Tuesday.
