Manhunt for John Durham Willey shifts to Rockhampton after guns seized in car crash
Police are searching for an armed man in Central Queensland and are urging members of the public not to approach him.
A manhunt is under way in Central Queensland for a 42-year-old man believed to be armed after a two-vehicle crash on the Bruce Highway and a hotel shooting in the state’s far north earlier this month.
The search for John Durham Willey shifted to Rockhampton on Tuesday after police were called to a two-vehicle crash on Kunwarara Rd just north of Rockhampton.
Police say after a Holden Crewman utility collided with a caravan just after noon, firearms and ammunition were allegedly located in the Holden.
A 47-year-old woman from Cooktown on the state’s Cape York Peninsula allegedly fled from the vehicle after the crash and was arrested in nearby bushland.
An emergency declaration was made just before 2pm on Tuesday – locking down a significant section of the Bruce Highway – and remained in place for nearly six hours until 7.20pm that evening.
Detectives have since released images of a man they believe can assist with investigations into both the traffic crash and the hotel shooting.
Police allege Mr Willey attended a Cairns hotel about midnight on September 9 and shot a 45-year-old man in the leg before fleeing the scene.
He is believed to be in the Rockhampton area and is considered armed, with the public advised not to approach him.
Rockhampton is more than 1000km south of Cairns, where the shooting occurred.
The Cooktown woman has been charged with acts intended to main, armed robbery, possession of weapons, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and four other traffic-related offences.
She is due to appear in the Rockhampton Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
Police are urging Mr Willey to come forward or anyone who knows his whereabouts to contact Policelink or Crime Stoppers.
