A 13-year-old Townsville boy with a "traumatic upbringing" who has been in court over 26 matters in just five months is being held behind bars after being linked to a crime spree that caused chaos in the city.

Key points: The boy has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle

The boy has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle He had been in court just five days earlier where he was given probation

He had been in court just five days earlier where he was given probation The magistrate denied the boy bail for his safety and to reduce the risk of him allegedly offending again

The court heard the boy, whose mother was murdered by his father, has been reported missing from state care 70 times, and committed his latest alleged crimes just five days after getting probation.

On Monday, Townsville flights were diverted and delayed as a helicopter tried to track a group recklessly driving stolen cars across the city.

It is alleged the group drove on the wrong side of the road, tried to drag a woman from her car, and threatened a man with a syringe.

Police prosecutor Mark Fenlon told the Children's Court in Townsville on Thursday there was evidence allegedly tying the young boy to the spate of crimes.

"We have related fingerprints found on two vehicles that were stolen in the two unlawful use of a motor vehicle matters," he said.

The boy has been charged with two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

The prosecutor told the courtroom, which was closed with the exception of local media, the boy had a history with local police.

"Probably the biggest concern is the fact that five days prior to the [committing] of the first offence on the 20th of October 2019 the defendant had thirteen matters finalised in the Childrens Court," he said.

Dashcam vision captures the moment a car travels on to the wrong side of the road in Monday's chase. ( Supplied: Queensland Police Service )

"He made it five days.

"There was a further sentencing undertaken in August and I count 26 matters where the offence date is June or closer to today."

'Traumatic upbringing'

The 13-year-old's lawyer Lea Bethune told the court the boy's father was currently in prison for the murder of his mother.

"He's had to then live with his grandmother who's unfortunately passed as well," Ms Bethune said.

"He's had a very traumatic upbringing."

The prosecutor rejected any suggestion the boy's alleged actions were a sign of him simply "acting out".

"This isn't a first-time offender," he said.

"His mental health has been looked at repeatedly."

Magistrate Susie Warrington denied bail and said prosecution's allegations were "very serious".

"Since November 2016, in which he's been in [state] care, he's been reported missing 70 times to police," Magistrate Warrington said.

"Although the court is reluctant to keep young people custody, he did get probation in October, he hasn't had the benefits of gaining anything from that at this stage because these offences have been allegedly committed five days later.

Magistrate Warrington said she was not satisfied there were any bail conditions that could be imposed that would reduce the risk of him allegedly offending again.

"Also I'm satisfied on the balance of probability that the child's safety would be endangered because of the offences he has been charged with if he were released," she said.

"It's clearly evident from the information before me that the department are unable to control his behaviour.

"They're doing everything they can to help him, and it's certainly in the public interest that that continues, but at this stage I have to balance that against the risk he poses to the community."

Cutika Illin, 21, and Mark Watson, 19, who allegedly stole cars and drove them on the wrong side of the road on Wednesday and are allegedly linked to the incident on Monday, were also denied bail in Townsville Magistrates Court on Thursday.