Wanted SA child sex predator Allan Hopkins on the run in stolen car in Queensland after violent carjacking

A nationwide search is now underway for the wanted child sex predator amid reports he’s now been involved in a violent crime in Queensland.

A violent sex predator, wanted by SA Police for alleged serious sexual offending against a child is believed to have fled to Queensland and been involved in a violent carjacking.

SA Police on Friday warned members of the public not to approach Allan John Hopkins as they revealed more details about the convicted child sex offender.

Authorities believe the 44-year-old may now be in South-East Queensland, where he has allegedly committed more offences including an alleged carjacking while armed with a hammer on Thursday.

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 the hammer.

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

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.”

This means the manhunt for Hopkins has now widened to three states, SA, Queensland and Victoria, where he was wanted for fleeing a roadside police intercept.

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

Watch the press conference below

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, 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.

Superintendent Fitzgerald described the inquiry as a “very sensitive investigation” and confirmed police were “in contact with a number of victims that have been left in the wake of Mr Hopkins’ activities”.

“Victims of the behaviours of Allan Hopkins obviously will (have) lifelong scars,” he said.

Convicted pedophile Allan Hopkins. Picture: SA Police

The victim of wanted pedophile Allan Hopkins has spoken of her fears that he will reoffend. Picture: 9 NEWS

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.

The victim of that attack, who cannot be identified, has bravely urged the public to come forward with any information that may lead to Hopkins’ arrest.

“That was my biggest fear, always, that someone else would have to go through the exact same thing because of the same person and I never wanted that,” she told 9 NEWS earlier this week.

“It just breaks my heart that now someone else has to relive that.”

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

A ute driven by Hopkins. Picture: SA Police

This comes after 7NEWS had revealed Hopkin’s had run a landscaping business – called Aflex Landscaping – based in McLaren Vale since 2020.

Two weeks before committing his alleged child sex crime, Hopkin’s was doing landscaping work in a western suburb home.

The western family had told 7NEWS they had no idea Hopkin’s was a convicted offender and they “feel sick” knowing he was working on their property while their two young daughters were home.

Last year, Hopkins was declared a high-risk offender and was subject to supervision by the Corrections Department. However, that extended supervision order expired about four weeks ago. Furthermore, under provisions in the SA Child Sex Offender Registration Act, Hopkins is required to report to police yearly, which he had been doing.

Last week Hopkins was seen driving through an Adelaide bottle shop with a girl or woman in the vehicle as he bought several cans of alcohol.

Hopkins is caucasian, 185cm tall, solid build, with short brown hair, brown eyes and a skull tattoo on his right upper arm.

If anyone has any information about Hopkins’ whereabouts, they are urged to immediately call the police assistance line on 131 444, or triple-0 in an emergency.