Police strongly urge public to report crime to Triple-0 and avoid confrontations with suspected offenders
Authorities have made an impassioned pleas for members of the public to leave police work to the professions as two cops are released from hospital after being hit with a stolen truck.
Toowoomba
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Police are calling on the public to leave the business of catching and detaining offenders to trained officers, citing a recent hit-and-run incident as evidence of how dangerous their job can be.
Darling Downs Superintendent Doug McDonald said the two officers hit by a stolen truck at Meringandan are expected to make a full recovery and be back at work soon.
Police allege Detective Senior Constable Mark Penberthy and Senior Constable Steven Ingerson were attempting to remove Bartholomew Dornbusch from a stolen Hino truck after the found it parked on Meringandan-Goombungee Road about 1.30pm on May 24 when they were injured.
Police allege Mr Dornbusch ran into the officers, before then crashing into the side of their police vehicle.
Snr Const Ingerson suffered serious injuries, including a suspected fractured pelvis, and was flown to the Princess Alexandra Hospital, while Snr Const Penberthy was taken to St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Toowoomba and released later that night.
“I am pleased to say both of those officers are recovering well, they are at home with their families, they are receiving many visits from their colleagues,” Supt McDonald said.
“We expect they will make a full recovery and be back to work soon.”
Mr Dornbusch was arrested a short time after the crash, but not before he collided with another two police officers, who suffered minor injuries as a result of airbag deployments.
He is charged with two counts each of attempted murder and unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of endangering the safety of a person in a vehicle with intent, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, break and enter, wilful damage, evade police and possess dangerous drugs.
The 45-year-old man is being held on remand and has not been required to enter a plea to the charges.
Supt McDonald said the community should exercise caution when they see someone they suspect to be in control of a stolen vehicle.
“It does highlight how dangerous police work is,” he said.
“Some of the people we deal with are highly motivated and will go to great lengths to avoid apprehension.
“This is why I encourage members of the community to consider their actions in terms of attempting to intercept these people.
“Look after your own safety first and foremost.”
Supt McDonald urged the community phone Triple-0 if they see a crime in progress or if they know one was committed recently. For anything else, phone Policelink.
“We have seen great support from the community in relation to reporting crime that is occurring or has occurred, that includes giving us footage from their home or business CCTV,” he said.
“Please don’t think that by posting on social media it means that we are going to effectively respond to crimes that occurred at the time.
“All of these things you can provide to us help us do our job and keep the community safe.”
Originally published as Police strongly urge public to report crime to Triple-0 and avoid confrontations with suspected offenders
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