Man in custody after allegedly dragging 63-year-old woman from car

A Brisbane man has been remanded in custody after allegedly dragged a 63-year-old woman from her car during a crime spree that lasted seven hours and impacted several suburbs.

Police were forced to negotiate with a young man following an alleged seven-hour crime spree that left a 63-year-old woman injured and a luxury car stolen from a Brisbane’s west suburb.

Officers on Friday charged 24-year-old Billy David Baker – who was out on bail for prior offences - after the long-running incident impacted several Brisbane suburbs and left a woman requiring medical assistance.

Police allege just before midday on New Year’s Day, Baker, from Runcorn, stole a BMW from a home on Salubris Pl in Moggill before he was spotted by police allegedly driving dangerously along Moggill Rd in Brookfield. 

Moments later Baker allegedly drove onto the wrong side of the road in Chappell Hill in an attempt to avoid being caught by police, before Polair was called in to assist tracking the alleged car-thief.

Billy David Baker, 24 of Runcorn.

According to police, Baker was allegedly clocked driving at excessive speeds along the M1 motorway heading towards the north side of Brisbane.

“The car allegedly drove dangerously through multiple northside suburbs before travelling back to the southside where a tyre deflation device was deployed at Gaza Rd, Holland Park,” a statement from the QPS said.

“The man allegedly exited the vehicle at the corner of Nursery Rd and Logan Rd and attempted to steal another car, dragging a 63-year-old woman from it.”

The horrifying incident left the woman fortunately suffering only minor injuries, while Baker allegedly returned back to the stolen BMW he had been previously driving, before he drove to and later barricaded himself inside a home at Corella Pl in Runcorn. 

Police allege it was from inside this address where Baker made threats towards officers, prompting the QPS to negotiate with him.

At about 7pm – seven hours after the incident unfolded on the other side of the city, Baker surrendered himself to police and was subsequently charged with eight offences including serious assault of a person over 60, burglary and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle. 

Baker, whose social media accounts talk about being “good anywhere, inside or outside of prison,” on Saturday fronted Brisbane Magistrate’s Court where his duty lawyer made no application for bail.

Baker’s matter will return to court on January 27.