Man arrested after armed robberies and dangerous driving incidents
Police have charged a man after a series of armed robberies and dangerous driving incidents yesterday and this morning.
It will be alleged that around 11am yesterday, a man entered a motorcycle dealer on Learjet Drive in Caboolture.
He allegedly picked up a cash register, threw it to the floor and took money from it.
As he was running out of the business, a customer tried to stop him, but he produced a knife and fled on foot.
Around 11.30am, the man attended a grocery store on English Street at Elimbah.
It is alleged that he went into the back office and threatened a female staff member with a tomahawk before stealing her handbag and car keys.
He went out into the car park, located her car and fled the scene in it.
Around 2pm, officers were patrolling in Burpengary when they noticed a vehicle reported stolen from Inala.
It is alleged that this car was travelling in the company of the car that had been stolen earlier from Elimbah and a pursuit was commenced.
Police followed the vehicle along Old Gympie Road, Progress Road and onto Station Road to where a police attempted to stop the vehicle by using stingers, however when the driver avoided the stingers the pursuit was terminated.
The vehicle then allegedly continued at speed along Station Road and a short time later collided with another car, causing it to flip on its side.
The female driver of the allegedly stolen vehicle immediately fled the crash scene, however the police dog squad located her a short distance away and she was taken into custody.
The male driver of the other car was treated at the scene and then transported to the Royal Brisbane Hospital where he is believed to be recovering from non-life-threatening injuries.
At the same time, police were also receiving reports the other vehicle that had been stolen from Elimbah was still in the area after it was spotted in Burpengary.
Police then observed the vehicle on Old Gympie Road at Narangba and followed it to Frawley Avenue and a pursuit was authorised.
Police then followed the vehicle along Potassium and Nickel streets however due to the alleged high speed of the vehicle and traffic conditions, the pursuit was terminated.
Later that evening, around 2.10am, police identified the stolen vehicle now travelling on the Bruce Highway at Caboolture and having regards to the seriousness of offences that will be alleged against the driver, police pursued the vehicle as it headed towards a stingers site which was set up on Morayfield Road.
As the vehicle approached the site the car allegedly swerved at the last second and managed to avoid running over the deflation devices.
Due to the danger the offender represented to the community, police continued to follow the driver and around 2.30am he drove into Caboolture River Road where the vehicle was eventually stopped at the end of the road and the driver was taken into custody.
No one was physically injured during the incident.
A 23-year-old man of no fixed address has been charged with:
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle (x7)
- Fail to stop motor vehicle (x6)
- Armed robbery (x2)
- Serious assault with intent to commit crime (x2)
- Driving a vehicle without a licence
- Fail to take reasonable care in respect of syringe or needle
- Obstruct police
- Unlawful use of a motor vehicle
- Stealing
- Possess thing intended for use in an offence
- Driving without a licence
He is due to appear in the Caboolture Magistrates Court today.
A 19-year-old woman has also been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, fail to stop motor vehicle, fail to remain at a road incident and holder of a class C learner licence failed to comply with requirements.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.
You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.
Source: Brisbane Crime Alert
