Toowoomba service station owner clings to car driving off without paying in Gowrie Junction

A teenager has been charged with multiple offences following an incident at a servo that left a man trapped on the bonnet of a stolen car. Watch the video here:

A teenager has been charged with multiple offences following a dramatic fuel drive-off at a service station on Wednesday that left the shop’s owner trapped on the bonnet of the car.

Police will allege the 19-year-old Newtown man was behind the wheel of a grey Volkswagen at the Gowrie One Stop Convenience Centre service station in Gowrie Junction on Wednesday morning when an incident occurred.

The vehicle was allegedly stolen on April 8 from a Russell Street address in Toowoomba.

The man was charged with eight offences, including three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and one each of armed robbery, robbery, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, attempt to enter dwelling with intent and unlicensed driving.

He appeared in Toowoomba Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

Gowrie One Stop Convenience Centre co-owner Clint Weber was lucky to escape with minor injuries after he rode on the bonnet of a car that drove off without paying for fuel.

EARLIER: Servo owner reveals moment he clung to car bonnet

A Toowoomba service station owner found himself clinging for life to the bonnet of a stolen car as young criminals drove off without paying.

Gowrie One Stop Convenience Centre co-owner Clint Weber was left with sore ribs, cuts to his hands and other injuries after he confronted two young people hopping back in a stolen grey Volkswagen after filling up on Wednesday.

Security footage shows Mr Weber standing in front of the car before the driver accelerates into him.

Mr Weber then clings to the bonnet as the car turns around and drives up to the road, before he jumps off.

Gowrie One Stop Convenience Centre co-owner Clint Weber was lucky to escape with minor injuries after he rode on the bonnet of a car that drove off without paying for fuel.

Mr Weber suspected the car had been the subject of another fuel drive-off two days prior and stood outside to see what the occupants would do.

But he said it did not occur to him that the driver would accelerate after he stepped in front of the vehicle.

“My thought was (when I stepped in front) they’ll just run out and pay, but they had no intention of paying anything,” he said.

“When they accelerated out, the first thing I could grab onto was the wipers, because the only place I was going (if I didn’t) was under the front wheels.

“The harder he pushed on the accelerator the harder I held on – I wasn’t going to be thrown off, so I thought to roll off but I had nowhere else to go.

“We bounced over the curb and I’m screaming at him to stop and he did – after I jumped off they took off.”

Gowrie One Stop Convenience Centre owners Clint and Kerry Weber.

His wife Kerry said Mr Weber was lucky to escape with only minor injuries after the ordeal.

“His ribs are pretty sore, he had an X-Ray yesterday so we’re waiting to see what it says,” she said.

Ms Weber said the couple’s business was regularly the target of fuel theft, saying it made an impact to their bottom line.

Police on hunt for fuel drive-off suspects

Darling Downs Police Detective Acting Inspector Jason Kitto confirmed the car was stolen and police were on the hunt for two adult suspects.

“The vehicle was stolen from a private residence (on Russell St in Toowoomba) and we believe those who are responsible for the offence at the service station are also responsible for a number of other offences committed within the Darling Downs,” he said.

“Police conducted numerous investigations and inquiries in relation to that offence and we’re currently looking for two known persons in relation to those offences.”

Queensland Police Service Detective acting inspector Jason Kitto discusses the stolen car incident at a Gowrie Junction service station.

Acting Inspector Kitto said the footage of the incident was “deplorable”, while urging residents not to put themselves in danger to try and stop crimes.

“I was quite disturbed, for someone to put someone else in harm by driving off over fuel in a vehicle is quite deplorable,” he said.

“My advice to those people is let the police do their job, do not put yourself in harm’s way.

“Property can be replaced, human life cannot be.

“It could’ve turned bad really fast – (he was) very lucky, with the footage seen he has been collected by the vehicle and dragged for a short time, (but) it could’ve ended up a lot worse.”

Originally published as Toowoomba service station owner clings to car driving off without paying in Gowrie Junction