Man arrested, hit with 35 charges over alleged nine-hour car theft spree

A Queensland man who allegedly went on a nine-hour car theft spree and threatened members of the public has been hit with 35 charges after he was tackled to the ground and arrested by police. SEE THE DRAMATIC VIDEO

Police have laid 35 charges on a 27-year-old man who allegedly threatened members of the public and stole seven cars on Tuesday.

The charges include 10 counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, eight counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of armed robbery, two counts each of deprivation of liberty, evade police, wilful damage and stealing and one count each of obstruct a police officer, attempted armed robbery, attempted unlawful use of a motor vehicle, assault, and enter premises with intent and trespass.

Police alleged the man, armed with two knives, threatened people in Yeppoon and stole their car about 9.30am.

A stolen white Hilux passing the Dingo Roadhouse.

Then he allegedly evaded police at Ironpot about 10am in a 1993 Toyota Landcruiser, driving dangerously through Gracemere; stole a Ford utility and drove to Sapphire; threatened a 37-year-old woman for her red hatchback in Anakie Siding; stole an Izuzu wagon about 2pm and drove it dangerously along the Capricorn Highway, evading police; assaulted a 73-year-old man and stole his Ford SUV, driving to Emerald and hitting a Hyundai hatchback; and carrying out more vehicle thefts and assaults before being arrested in the Emerald region.

Police arrested the man about 6.20pm on Tuesday evening near Stanwell by deflating his tyres on their third attempt.

Detective Inspector Darrin Shadlow said “it’s a very worrying incident obviously when a person can be at large for that amount of time, stealing that amount of vehicles, and endangering a member of the public to the degree that he did”.

A crash on the corner of Beezley St and Capricorn Highway Emeralds.

“You jump into a vehicle, you’re going about your daily life, and someone jumps in your passenger seat, allegedly makes threats to you and makes you drive – certainly puts a different spin on your day.

“I imagine they’d be traumatised well and truly by it.”

Nobody was injured during the spree.

The man is scheduled to appear in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Thursday.