Gold Coast fugitive Mark Lutengau arrested after 24 hours on run

A fugitive Gold Coast gunman has been charged with a string of offences after a dramatic arrest during which he was bitten by a police dog.

A fugitive who sparked a 30-hour manhunt on the Gold Coast has been charged after a dramatic arrest on Wednesday afternoon.

Mark Lutengau, 37, was taken into custody by SERT officers at a Nerang address about 4.15pm.

Overnight, he was charged with a string of domestic violence including assault occasioning bodily harm, wilful damage, threatening violence and using a carriage to menace, harass or cause offence.

He will also face charges of possessing dangerous drugs and drug utensils.

Lutengau remains in police custody and will appear before the Southport Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Police say Lutengau was arrested without incident, but was taken to hospital in an ambulance after being bitten by a police dog.

Gold Coast police Acting Inspector Kevin Gant said information led police to the Nerang address where a Public Safety Preservation Act order was declared and Lutengau was arrested.

Insp Gant said Lutengau had suffered a “minor” dog bite.

Mark Lutengau is wanted by Gold Coast police investigating a domestic violence incident at Upper Coomera. Photo Supplied QLD Police

“As a result of our inquires we identified a possible location where that male could have been,” he said speaking outside Coomera Police Station.

“A short time later that man was located and taken into custody.

“Specialist officers in the area located and took the male into custody.

“(He) sustained a minor dog bite and is being treated for his injuries.

“(I’m) happy with the safe resolution of the situation and that he has been taken into custody and everyone is OK.”

Parents waiting to collect their children after the lockdown at Ormeau State School was lifted on Tuesday. Picture: Greg Stolz

Lutengau sparked a day of drama on the Gold Coast on Tuesday, including the lockdown of Ormeau State School, after he went on the run following an incident at Upper Coomera.

Police declared a public emergency, locked down streets and launched a major air and ground search involving the elite Special Emergency Response Team and Polair after Lutengau was reported to have fled into thick bushland at Ormeau.

The all-day search proved fruitless and police on Tuesday night released Lutengau’s name and photos.

It comes as parents of students at Ormeau State School take to Facebook to describe the stress experienced by their children as the campus was locked down.

Ormeau State School parents have taken to Facebook to call for Lutengau to surrender, saying the lockdown on Tuesday caused terror and stress for them and their children.

An Ormeau State School official and police officer checks parent cars entering the school during the manhunt. Picture: Greg Stolz

“My son wasn’t allowed to leave his classroom and they had to pee in buckets,” one woman posted.

“It’s actually full on. The school’s phones were transferred to answering machines, the texts (to parents) were 2-3 hours apart, kids were told not to message parents, peeing in buckets, told to hold their poo …yes it has impacted a lot of families.”

An Education Queensland spokesman confirmed “emergency toilet facilities” were in place during the seven-hour school lockdown as heavily-armed police hunted unsuccessfully for Lutengau.

“Safety is always paramount in any lockdown event and movement restrictions placed on staff and students by the Queensland Police Service are taken very seriously,’ he said.

“Students and staff were instructed not to leave their areas therefore there was no access to toilets.

“Due to the length of the lockdown, emergency toileting facilities with privacy screening and hand sanitising options were utilised.”