A stolen vehicle was allegedly driven at police before a shot was reportedly fired at a police helicopter during a dramatic pursuit.
Police have charged two men following a series of alleged offences from Wide Bay and the Sunshine Coast between August 24 and 27.
Initial investigations indicate that on August 26, at about 9am, multiple firearms were stolen from an address on Huxley Road in Childers.
Police allege the two male offenders left the scene in a white Mitsubishi Triton, which was stolen from a Jonie Court address in Bli Bli between August 24 and August 25.
The stolen Mitsubishi was later located burnt out at Lake MacDonald on the Sunshine Coast on August 27 at 5am.
It is alleged the same offenders then stole a second vehicle, a silver Nissan Maxima, from Lake MacDonald Drive, Cooroy at about 3.25am.
Following subsequent investigations, police located that vehicle at a service station on Currie Street in Nambour at about 11am where it’s alleged the driver drove at police.
The passenger of the vehicle, a 44-year-old West Gladstone man, was taken into custody after exiting the vehicle.
It is further alleged the driver fled the scene and was later seen driving dangerously northbound on the Bruce Highway near Noosa.
Police later located the vehicle at Honey Myrtle Road in Noosa Heads, where it is alleged the man fired a single shot towards a POLAIR helicopter.
It will be further alleged the man fled the scene on foot and stole a third vehicle, a brown Toyota Yaris, at gunpoint from an address on Habitat Place in Noosa Heads.
Police located the vehicle at Smoke Bush Drive after 12.30pm and a second man, a 21-year-old from Hervey Bay, was taken into custody.
Multiple firearms and a large knife were seized from the vehicle.
An emergency declaration was made under the Public Safety Preservation Act and was revoked a short time later.
The 21-year-old man, who was taken to hospital, has been charged with 30 offences including five counts of enter dwelling and commit, three counts of serious assault of a police officer, two counts each of enter premises with intent whilst armed, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and possessing dangerous drugs, and one count each of arson, reckless discharge or a weapon towards a building or vehicle, discharge of a weapon in a public place, threatening violence, deprivation of liberty, armed robbery, unlawful possession of category A and B weapons, attempted enter premises with intent, and stealing.
He was expected to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday, August 28.
The 44-year-old man, who was placed in the watchhouse, has been charged with 15 offences including five counts of enter dwelling and commit, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of arson, unlawful possession of a category M weapon, serious assault of a police officer, attempted enter premises with intent, stealing, possessing tainted property, possessing dangerous drugs, and trespass.
He was also expected to face Maroochydore Magistrates Court on Friday, August 28.
Inspector John Mahony said many locals in the Noosa area would be shaken by the events.
“Initial investigations by police have revealed that the male offender who was in possession of the firearm may have attempted to steal several motor vehicles in the Noosa Springs recreation area and Noosa Heads area,” he said.
He said a woman whose vehicle was allegedly stolen was “quite distraught, as you would imagine”.
“We’re fairly certain that there will be other community members who have been directly impacted by this criminal activity in the Noosa Springs Recreational Area.”
“They too will be suffering, but we appeal to those people to approach police at the earliest possible opportunity.”
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestoppersqld.com.au. Quote these reference numbers: QP2601669232, QP2601673673, QP2601674263
