Man arrested, charged over alleged armed robbery at Bowen service station

A five-hour alleged crime spree that police claim started with the assault of two women in Mackay finally ended outside Inkerman when police arrested the man accused of armed robbery and more.

Superintendent Shane confirmed a 28-year-old Mackay man charged with violent robbery was known to police. Photo: Fergus Gregg

A Mackay man faced court this morning following an alleged attempted violent carjacking and armed robbery which police claim took place over the course of one night, hundreds of kilometres apart.

Police allege at 7.20pm September 26 the 28-year-old Mackay man approached two women, aged 33 and 21, sitting in a white Mitsubishi Pajero on Illawong Dr in South Mackay.

It is understood the women had been parked at CitiBeach Volleyball when the man allegedly approached armed with an unknown object and tried but failed to steal the car.

When the women resisted his threats, they were assaulted by the man and sustained lacerations to both their heads and arms, police claim.

Mackay-Whitsunday District Superintendent Shane Holmes said the women were shaken by the event but were, fortunately, able to present themselves to Mackay Base Hospital and have since been released.
Forensics and the dog squad were called to the scene to investigate.

A witness reportedly told police car keys were stolen from a nearby address.

Superintendent Holmes confirmed the 28-year-old was known to the person he allegedly took the car keys from.

It is alleged he threatened staff at a Bowen servo with what is believed to be a small firearm.

Police allege the man drove a stolen silver Toyota LandCruiser from a Paget address to United Petroleum near Bowen at about 10.30pm.

He then allegedly robbed the service station using an object wrapped in clothing he claimed was a firearm, taking a sum of cash from the register.

The service station staff member was not injured during the incident.

About two hours later, near Inkerman south of Home Hill, he tried to flag down a truck driver travelling through the area, police claim.

He made attempts to get in the truck but the driver managed to fend him off before reporting the situation to police.

Police located the man a short time later and charged him with violent robbery while armed before transporting him to the Townsville watch house.

The Toyota LandCruiser was located by the side of the Bruce Highway south of Home Hill at 12.30am.

Superintendent Shane Holmes confirmed the Mackay man appeared before Bowen Magistrates Court on September 27 and was remanded into custody with his bail opposed.

Police are currently trying to establish what occurred between Mackay and Inkerman on September 26.

“It’s quite a complex investigation,” Superintendent Holmes said.

“We’re talking about approximately 290km of distance travelled over a number of hours in the evening.

“There’s a lot of people we need to talk to.”

Superintendent Holmes confirmed the man was known to police prior to this incident and he is scheduled to appear in Townsville Magistrates Court on September 28.