Man arrested after Pacific Pines State High School and other Gold Coast educational institutions go into lockdown

A man who sent northern Gold Coast schools and kindergartens into precautionary lockdowns has been charged with eight offences. See the full details.

A man who sent northern Gold Coast schools and kindergartens into precautionary lockdowns after he allegedly dumped a car and fled has been charged with eight offences.

Police claim the 41-year-old Northern Territory man was erratically driving a silver Holden Commodore in Oxenford before he allegedly evaded police in Pacific Pines about 8am Friday.

The 41-year-old has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle while adversely affected, evading police, possessing dangerous drugs, possess drug utensils, fail to properly dispose of needle and three counts of trespass.

He was expected to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on Saturday morning.

Earlier - Man arrested after schools thrust into lockdown - March 25

Schools and kindergartens in the northern Gold Coast went into a precautionary lockdown on Friday morning as police hunted for a man who allegedly dumped a car and fled after being spotted “driving erratically”.

Gold Coast police were advised of the vehicle’s worrying movements at Oxenford just before 8am on Friday, a spokeswoman said.

Police arrest a man allegedly spotted "driving erratically” before dumping a car at Pacific Pines and fleeing, sending nearby schools and kindergartens into lockdown. Picture: Kyle Wisniewski/Gold Coast Bulletin

It’s alleged a Northern Territory man, 41, was tracked to Hotham Dr at Pacific Pines, where the car was abandoned near Pacific Pines State High School and other educational institutions.

The high school took to Facebook to advise the community.

“Please be advised we are currently in a precautionary lockdown,” a statement read.

“We will keep you updated.”

Kindergartens and primary schools in the area were also locked down, but the situation has now eased.

Texts from a 14-year-old high school student shared with the Bulletin have revealed children “thought it was a drill” until they were told to run.

“I was playing touch on the oval (and) we ran, I mean ran, to the sports hall cause we had no cover on the oval,” the student wrote.

“We left our phones and bags and everything then sat in the sports hall for an hour quiet.”

The police spokeswoman said the man had been taken into custody.

“Police have arrested a man after the alleged dangerous operation of a vehicle at Oxenford and Pacific Pines this morning,” she said.

Police arrest a man at Pacific Pines. Picture: Kyle Wisniewski/Gold Coast Bulletin

“Around 8am, police were called to Stolle Court at Oxenford, with reports of a man in a silver Holden Commodore allegedly driving erratically.

“Police attempted to intercept the vehicle on Pitcairn Way at Pacific Pines, but it will be alleged the man evaded police and continued to drive in a dangerous manner.”

It’s alleged the man drove on the wrong side of the road before dumping the vehicle about 9am.

“Police commenced patrols of the area in an effort to locate him,” the spokeswoman said.

“As a precaution, two kindergartens, a primary school and a high school nearby were placed into lockdown.

“Police located a man in the vicinity of Pitcairn Way around 10am and he’s been taken into custody.”

It’s alleged the man fled with police hot on his tail after dumping the car, and was seen jumping fences and running through properties in the area.

The man “ran into a nearby apartment complex on Archipelago Street where he attempted to enter an unoccupied vehicle”, police stated.

Officers tackled the man to the ground on Pitcairn Way in front of the Pines Point shopping complex.

Tonight on 7NEWS at 5.30pm and 6pm: A dramatic arrest of a man at Pacific Pines. The 41-year-old allegedly abandoned a car after driving erratically through Oxenford, when he was cornered by officers at Pitcairn Way around 10am. https://t.co/tIEQ9JOpss#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/2hfh8VJKkR

— 7NEWS Gold Coast (@7NewsGoldCoast) March 25, 2022

“He was taken into custody with the assistance of a nearby off-duty Coomera police officer, who sustained a soft-tissue injury to his knee during the arrest. The off-duty officer is currently receiving medical treatment,” police stated.

The NT man has been taken to Southport Watch-house.

A Department of Education spokesperson said there was “no higher priority than the safety and wellbeing of our staff and students”.

They said the lockdowns “were initiated on QPS advice” in response to a police incident and “no students or staff were affected”.