Polair called in after mum’s wild chase in stolen truck, strikes cop

A mother of two who allegedly stole a truck, struck a police officer to the ground and led Polair on a wild pursuit across Brisbane has faced court on 12 charges.

Polair was led on a wild pursuit across Brisbane, the court heard. Picture: Queensland Police

A police officer was struck by a stolen truck and knocked to the ground, before the alleged thief behind the wheel led Polair on a wild pursuit across Brisbane, a court has heard.

Tamara Juliet Robinson, a 31-year-old mum of two, is accused of stealing a delivery truck in Fortitude Valley and leading police on a chase from north of the river to Brisbane’s southern suburbs on December 23, 2024.

Details of the brazen alleged theft were revealed in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Friday when Robinson unsuccessfully applied for bail on 12 charges before Justice Michael Copley.

Robinson told the court she intends to plead guilty to all charges on March 26.

During the chase, a police officer opened the driver side door to arrest Robinson but she reversed the truck, hitting the officer with the door, before backing up even further and colliding with two other vehicles, the court heard.

Justice Copely outlined the police allegations against Robinson, and said a Polair helicopter was deployed to track the stolen truck.

“The vehicle ran through multiple red lights and stop signs and had near misses with other vehicles,” he said of the police allegations.

“There was a collision with a car on Old Cleveland Road before the truck went through a red light.”

Justice Copley said Robinson was eventually found hiding behind the stolen truck in a carpark in Holland Park West.

The delivery truck had been unattended when she stole it in the Valley, the court heard.

Robinson was allegedly in possession of a small quantity of methylamphetamine, cannabis, and some bank cards in someone else’s name at the time.

Almost three months after her initial arrest, Robinson appeared in court on Friday via video link from prison.

The court heard of her extensive criminal history, with Justice Copley telling the court her record was 10-pages long.

“It’s predominantly offences of property dishonesty, drugs and actual violence,” he said.

“She’s been convicted of failing to appear in court on nine occasions and of breaching her bail on three occasions.”

Representing herself at the hearing she told Justice Copley she was “horrified” by her criminal behaviour while on drugs.

“All of my offending has been under the influence of drugs,” she said.

“Whilst I’m sober and abstaining from drug use, I look back on my offending and I’m truly horrified and embarrassed of my actions.”

Robinson said she was on the waiting list for a residential rehabilitation centre, Transformations, in Hervey Bay, where she hoped to go if freed on bail.

“One of the biggest problems with being back in jail, I’m surrounded with others who are not getting better and staying out of prison,” she said.

“Hence, why I’m wanting to commence a residential rehab program, as I’ll be supported and surrounded by others wanting to get better.”

Despite Robinson’s legal efforts, Justice Copley denied the alleged serial offender’s application for bail, stating that she posed too great a risk to release

Having already spent 81 days in custody, Robinson will remain in custody until her next court appearance on March 26.

The 12 charges she is set to plead guilty to include: one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, serious assault of a police officer, receiving tainted property, unlawful possession of suspected stolen property, failure to take reasonable care and precautions in respect of a syringe or needle, and two counts of possessing dangerous drugs.