A man has been charged with multiple offences after allegedly fleeing from a crashed car in a Gympie carpark and being chased down by police on foot.
The dramatic arrest on Thursday night, which was captured on video, followed the alleged discovery of a firearm, drugs and stolen plates.
During patrols of a shopping centre carpark on Ramsey Road at about 8.45pm, police located a silver Mazda 3, allegedly with stolen registration plates.
Police stopped to speak to the driver of the Mazda and the three passengers, when the Mazda allegedly reversed into a police car then drove forward into bushes, damaging both vehicles. The occupants of the Mazda allegedly ran from the vehicle.
Police chased the male driver and he was arrested a short time later. The man allegedly dropped a firearm onto the ground just before he was arrested. During a search of the man, police allegedly located ammunition, a drug utensil and cash.
The Mazda 3 was seized for forensic examination and a search of the vehicle allegedly located dangerous drugs, drug utensils and medicines.
No one was injured during the incident.
The registration plates attached to the Mazda were allegedly stolen from a Southside address on July 31, between midnight and 1.30am.
A 32-year-old Gympie man was charged with 17 offences including five counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of obstruct police officer, two counts of driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, possess shortened firearms, receiving or possessing property obtain from trafficking or supplying, possess utensils or pipes etc for use, authority required to possess explosives, offence to buy or possess medicines, stealing and receiving tainted property.
He was refused police bail and was due to appear in Gympie Magistrates Court on Friday.
The three passengers of the Mazda were outstanding and anyone with information was urged to contact police. Investigations are ongoing.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at police.qld.gov.au/reporting. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. Quote this reference number: QP2501346011.
