Arrested on tarmac: Man charged with hit and run ‘tried to flee to Dubai’

A driver accused of deliberately mowing down a pedestrian to retrieve $10,000, who then fled the scene, was stopped by police at Brisbane Airport as his plane bound for Dubai was on the tarmac.

Coronado St, Browns Plains, where a man was allegedly struck by 27-year-old Mohammad Karimi on Saturday.

A Logan driver accused of deliberately mowing down a pedestrian to retrieve $10,000, who then fled the scene, was stopped by police as his plane bound for Dubai was on the tarmac.

Mr Karimi applied for bail in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on Monday.

He was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm and common assault.

The court heard Mr Karimi was trying to retrieve $10,000 from the alleged victim on Saturday when a violent argument broke out.

Mr Karimi allegedly punched the man while they were in a car together.

The man then got out of the car and ran away before Mr Karimi allegedly drove into him before fleeing.

The court heard Mr Karimi later boarded a flight to Dubai but was arrested by police while the plane was on the tarmac.

His alleged victim was rushed to Princess Alexandra Hospital where he remained in a serious but stable condition.

Defence lawyer Mac Gray said his client had a limited criminal history and appropriate bail conditions could be imposed.

“Every day people in Queensland get granted bail in situations like this,” he said.

“He has a girlfriend in the Logan community, works as manager for a waste removal company and is a homeowner.

“An eye witness reported seeing a vehicle make contact with a person on the street, the witness is seated in the back of the car and it was dark at midnight.”

Police prosecutor Sergeant Daryl Armfield said police were still unsure of the extent of the internal injuries to the alleged victim

“Mr Karimi purchased a one-way ticket to Dubai at 9.30pm on April 6,’’ he said.

“Investigators attended the Brisbane Airport, checked he was about to leave on the plane, stopped the flight mid-runway and arrested him.

“This goes further than the usual flight risk. His attempt to flee internationally means there are no conditions your honour could impose which would be safe.

“The most serious feature was the deliberate mounting of a kerb and footpath to strike the victim with the vehicle.”

Magistrate Patrina Clohessy denied bail and adjourned the matter for mention in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on June 5.

A brief of evidence was ordered by May 20.

No plea was entered.

Originally published as Arrested on tarmac: Man charged with hit and run ‘tried to flee to Dubai’