Alleged gun-wielding man arrested after lockdown in Wallaroo
THE manhunt for a suspected gunman near Wallaroo ended after police spiked the car he was driving in twice and then chased him down by foot.
A SUSPECTED gunman had his car spiked twice and had to be chased down by foot in a dramatic end to a manhunt in South Australia.
Police had been trying to track down Jake Dohnt since yesterday morning, putting the coastal town of Wallaroo in lockdown overnight as they searched for the 25-year-old.
Today South Australia Police confirmed they had arrested Mr Dohnt, finally locating him just north of Port Wakefield today about 5.40pm.
In a statement police said they had received information Mr Dohnt was travelling in a grey Holden sedan, and the car was spotted by police travelling north on Port Wakefield Rd, St Kilda about 4pm.
The vehicle was successfully spiked twice, however the car continued driving north through Port Wakefield.
About 5.35pm, the car crashed with another vehicle about two kilometres north of the intersection of Port Augusta Highway and Copper Coast Highway.
Mr Dohnt ran from the scene of the crash and was chased on foot into a nearby paddock. He was eventually arrested at gunpoint.
Neither the suspect nor any police officers were injured but the driver of the vehicle involved in the crash sustained minor injuries.
Mr Dohnt has been taken to Kadina for questioning and is expected to face the Port Pirie Magistrates Court tomorrow.
Earlier this afternoon, police also found a firearm in the rear yard of a Wallaroo residence.
Police had been searching for the 25-year-old man since yesterday after he refused to stop for police.
Officers tried to pull Dohnt over in his car after he was spotted just before 1am on Monday driving a Commodore sedan on the Spencer Highway. He refused and was last seen on East Terrace before police gave up the pursuit.
Later that day (just after 1pm), police found the Commodore abandoned near East Terrace and Cornish Terrace. Patrols then spotted Dohnt in Daly Street where he allegedly produced a handgun and pointed it at police. An officer fired a shot at him and he ran off. No police were physically injured.
Police believe he was hiding in the town of Wallaroo and placed the area into lockdown until about 2.06pm today.
The area around Daly St remained closed between East Terrace and Moonta St while Crime Scene Investigators examined the area where Jake Dohnt allegedly threatened police with a handgun.
Overnight, residents were either not allowed to return to their homes or were told to stay inside and lock all their doors and windows.
Some were even forced to spend the night at Wallaroo Town Hall with the Salvation Army providing food because they couldn't get home.
Inspector Allison Clark addressed the media this afternoon, saying Mr Dohnt was “armed and dangerous”.
She said police have reason to believe that people in Wallaroo have been assisting him in evading police. She asked for Mr Dohnt to surrender peacefully.
She said officers have been trying to contact Dohnt on his mobile phone but have so far been unsuccessful.
“I ask Jake to return SMS messages and mobile telephone calls that have been made by police as we would like to talk to him about his welfare and coming forward so that we can end this current situation safely,” Inspector Alison Clark said.
She said they believe Dohnt remains in the Wallaroo area and is being harboured by people within the local community.
No arrests have been made so far but Insp Clark warned those hiding Dohnt would be “dealt with” by police.
Terrified resident Patricia Bean told ABC she hasn’t been able to go home for almost 24 hours.
“I’ve been locked out since 1:30pm [yesterday] — can’t go home, [my] little dog’s at home, two budgies out in the freezing cold, my son’s work clothes on the line and I don’t like it,” she said.
“I tried to talk [police] into letting me go home and them come home with me and I could lock myself in but they wouldn’t.”
“Patrols then spotted the wanted man in Daly Street where he allegedly produced a handgun and pointed it at police,” a SA Police spokesman said.
“An officer fired a shot at the man who then ran off.
“No police were physically injured.”
Earlier police believed the wanted man was near East Terrace, Cornish Terrace, Gouge Street and Ryan Street in Wallaroo yesterday.
They warned residents to steer clear of Matta Street, Cornish Terrace, Hughes Street and Gardiner Street.
Jake Dohnt was described as being caucasian, about 160cm tall, 70kg, medium build with brown eyes and light brown hair. He is wearing black long pants, a black windcheater with a white motif on the front and a black cap.
One woman, who lived in the danger area but was forced to sleep at a hotel Monday night, made a plea for Mr Dohnt to surrender.
“I’m just scared, I’ve never been through this before,” she told The Advertiser.
“Just come out and surrender, it’s the best thing you can do.
“Everyone is worried … he needs to be caught.
“I’m scared the police might barge into my house.”
Star group officers have entered a house with their guns drawn. @7NewsAdelaide pic.twitter.com/qyfdwLDtHk
— Gertie Spurling (@GertieSpurling7) July 16, 2018
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