Wanted child sex predator Allan Hopkins on the run in Qld, reportedly used hammer in carjacking

A major manhunt is underway in Queensland for a child sex offender who reportedly flagged down a motorist and struck him in a head with a hammer north of the Sunshine Coast.

A violent sex predator wanted by authorities in South Australia for alleged serious sexual offending against a child is on the run in Queensland has reportedly carjacked a man with a hammer.

South Australian police on Friday warned members of the public to not approach Allan John Hopkins.

Hopkins, 44, has been convicted of kidnapping and raping a 10-year-old girl in South Australia.

It’s understood he has allegedly committed more offences in Queensland however, police would not reveal details about that alleged offending but said it was not of a sexual nature.

Allan Hopkins, 44, is wanted by SA Police for serious sexual offending involving a child under the age of 18 years. Picture: SAPOL

It is understood that South Australia Police want to speak with him in regards to allegations of serious child sex offences, sparking the cross-border manhunt.

According to a 9 News Queensland report, Hopkins is believed to have allegedly flagged down a driver near Murgon in the South Burnett, and hit the driver in the head with a hammer.

Allan Hopkins, 44, is wanted by SA Police for serious sexual offending involving a child under the age of 18 years. Picture: SAPOL

He then is understood to have restrained him and stolen his vehicle.

Hawkins is alleged to have escaped the state in his ute, driving through Victoria where he evaded police into New South Wales, before making his way into Queensland.

It is alleged that he dumped his ute in Queensland before the alleged carjacking took place in Murgon.

A Queensland Police Service spokeswoman said that police are warning anyone that comes across the man not to approach him.

“Police believe he may be in Queensland and investigations are underway to locate him,” the spokeswoman said.

“Anyone who sees the man is asked not to approach him, but to immediately contact Triple 0.”

A ute driven by Allan Hopkins who is wanted by SA Police for serious sexual offending involving a child under the age of 18 years. Picture: SAPOL

He was seen buying items at a pharmacy in Millicent on May 3 and was in Victoria on May 4.

Hopkins had been travelling in a grey 2022 Mazda BT50 ute however that vehicle has since been found abandoned in Queensland.

Detective Superintendent Scott Fitzgerald officer in charge of the public protection branch in SA, reissued an appeal for public information about the whereabouts of Hopkins, who previously kidnapped and raped a 10-year-old girl in 2007.

“He’s shown a propensity for violence – That’s why we ask anyone who comes into contact with Hopkins or knows where he is to contact police immediately and don’t approach him,” he said.

It comes after police on Monday first appealed for public information to help capture the suspect after he allegedly committed serious sexual offences against a person under the age of 18 in early May.

Hopkins has previously been convicted over a 2007 abduction and rape of a 10-year-old girl.

The predator kidnapped the child from her Paralowie home while she was sleeping next to a friend and raped her at a nearby school.

He pleaded guilty to the attack and was sentenced in 2010 to 10.5 years in jail, with a non-parole period of seven years.

Last year, Hopkins was declared a high-risk offender and was subject to supervision by the Corrections Department. However, that extended supervision order expired less than a month ago.

Originally published as Wanted child sex predator Allan Hopkins on the run in Qld, reportedly used hammer in carjacking