Police charge 20-year-old man over late-night armed robbery at Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre

A woman using an ATM at a popular Toowoomba shopping centre was allegedly dragged from her car at knifepoint by two men, who then allegedly stole the vehicle.

Police have charged William John Maximos Doidge after he allegedly dragged a woman from her car during a late-night armed robbery at Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre.

It is alleged that a 50-year-old woman had withdrawn cash from an ATM at the centre and returned to her car when she was allegedly approached by two men, including Mr Doidge, 20, about 11.15pm on Monday.

Toowoomba Detective Senior Sergeant Paul McCusker said police will allege the men demanded the woman hand over the cash before dragging her from her vehicle, which contained her handbag and belongings, and fled in it.

“Police were able to intercept the vehicle after it was abandoned and with the help of the dog squad, they took the 20-year-old male into custody,” he said.

WIlliam John Maximos Doidge has been charged over a late-armed robbery at Clifford Gardens.

The vehicle was recovered without any damage.

Mr Doidge has been charged with one count each of robbery while armed and in company and unlawful use of a motor vehicle arising from the incident.

He was further charged with three burglary-type offences, along with stealing, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and several drug offences that predate his arrest.

His matter was briefly mentioned on Tuesday.

There was no application for bail and magistrate Kay Philipson remanded him in custody and adjourned all matters to date in June.

The co-offender remains at large and anyone with information about his identity or location is urged to phone Policelink on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Police charge 20-year-old man over late-night armed robbery at Clifford Gardens Shopping Centre