Pair who allegedly shot at police arrested after farmer tracked them in helicopter
Police have thanked a farmer who flew his own helicopter to help officers track a couple who allegedly rammed a police vehicle with a stolen car and fired shots at officers on the NSW-Queensland border.
NSW
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Police have thanked a farmer who took to the sky in his own helicopter to help officers track a man and woman who allegedly rammed a police vehicle with a stolen car and fired shots at officers on the NSW-Queensland border.
The drama began at 7am, when someone noticed a suspicious looking grey Mazda parked behind shops in the town of Mungindi and called police.
Registration checks revealed the car had been reported stolen in Cairns.
As New England Police District officers approached the vehicle the driver allegedly accelerated and hit the front of the police car then sped off.
Police were following the car when shots were allegedly fired at them from the Mazda.
The vehicle finally stopped almost 400km east — on the Bruxner Hwy, west of Tenterfield — when it is understood the car ran out of fuel.
Reinforcements from NSW and Queensland were sent to the scene and a 28-year-old man and 27-year-old woman were arrested.
The pair were taken to Tenterfield Police Station for questioning. Police thanked a local farmer who used his helicopter to track the car until police could get their own helicopter into place.
“Police would like to thank the public for their assistance, especially a local farmer who flew his helicopter and assisted police by providing coordinates until aerial police resources arrived,” a police statement said.