QLD crime wave: Vigilantes led by Torin O’Brien show up at homes of alleged offenders in Rockhampton
Tense vigilantes led by a local kickboxer surround the homes of suspected felons and take on the police as crime spirals out of control: ‘You won’t do your job properly’
- An angry mob of about 100 took the law into their own hands
- Vigilantes led by former One Nation candidate Torin O’Brien
An angry mob of about 100 vigilantes attempted to take the law into their own hands by appearing at the doorsteps of suspected criminals and demanding that the police take action.
The group, led by kickboxer turned One Nation candidate Torin O’Brien, has had enough of rising crime in the Queensland town of Rockhampton.
Sunday’s tense demonstration against suspected thieves and violent offenders was triggered by a spate of recent burglaries, including at the home of Mrs O’Brien’s sister in the suburb of Wandal.
“Clearly there has been no leadership around this crime spree of gross little wild animals,” the gym owner posted online, urging people to support the demonstration.
“The city is angry and the police are worried…well, maybe they sense our fear and will do more, but we all know that the government and the justice system are failing us….
“But if one man can find literally all of his entire team’s information on Facebook, the police can stand side by side and demand change from the top. Stop being so cowardly and take a stand WITH US.”
Trying to take the law into their own hands, an angry mob of about 100 vigilantes showed up at the doorsteps of alleged criminals and demanded police action. Torin O’Brien (pictured front left) organized the protest
The rally began with a rally at 2pm, with the incited ground marching towards the homes of alleged trespassers, first around a house in the Norman Gardens suburb.
Several members of the mob knocked on the front door and windows of the house and demanded that the residents come out.
A youth in the house was reportedly armed with a machete but did not leave the house.
Within minutes, swarms of policemen arrived on the street, with one of the vigilantes saying sarcastically that he had never seen police arrive so quickly.
Other members of the crowd yelled, “You’re not doing your job right.”
A police officer negotiated with Mr O’Brien until about 3:30pm before the mob moved to another suburb, Berserker, followed by police.
The leaders again knocked on doors and spoke to residents, while others watched, many filming the proceedings on their phones.
Torin O’Brien (right) is pictured talking to a police officer amid a tense confrontation over a ‘crime wave’ in Rockhampton
The group knocked on doors of those they believe are responsible for theft and other crimes, leading to a tense confrontation with police (pictured)
The group then moved on to a third address before returning to the house they first visited in Norman Gardens.
At around 4:00 pm, Mr. O’Brien told everyone to go home and that he would meet with police in the next few days to discuss the matter.
But some people refused to leave and demanded immediate action.
This led to the arrival of more police, with dogs, with more than a dozen officers and eight police vehicles on the scene.
Police issued a ‘proceed’ direction, which took effect immediately and lasted for 12 hours.
The remaining 18 protesters left at that point, rather than being arrested for ignoring direction.
To get the addresses of alleged perpetrators, M O’Brien had offered a $5,000 reward to anyone who provided names on social media.
But Mr. O’Brien denies that he and the group are violent vigilantes, insisting they are simply law-abiding citizens who will no longer put up with rising crime.