Mayor Adam Belot shares new details into Farnborough alleged armed robbery

A Queensland mayor has issued a warning to all motorists after his teen son had his work truck allegedly stolen by a man armed with a metal pole.

Police charged a 30-year-old man after an alleged stolen vehicle was driven dangerously through areas of Rockhampton on August 26.

Livingstone Shire Mayor Adam Belot has shared new details into the alleged armed robbery of his son’s work vehicle on Monday and warned motorists to lock their vehicles while driving.

Mr Belot’s son, an 18-year-old apprentice builder, was allegedly robbed the white Hino truck when Jake Kevin Watts allegedly flagged him down on Farnborough Rd on Monday, August 26.

Police allege the 30-year-old man grabbed a pole already inside the vehicle then allegedly went on a wild rampage throughout Rockhampton and Yeppoon.

Mr Belot said it was a “very disturbing situation, but thankfully our son is doing very well”.

Livingstone Shire Mayor Adam Belot.

“He has good people around him, good friends and he is in a very supportive community,” he said.

Mr Belot said it was important all motorists locked their vehicles when they were driving.

“I would encourage people to be mindful of having their locking mechanisms on because it can happen so quickly,” Mr Belot said.

“Especially pulling up at traffic lights or stop signs.

“If you get in the habit of travelling with your vehicle locked and then you can make your choice to put your window down to communicate with somebody; that’s a lesson that was reinforced through this traumatic event.”

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Kevin Mawdsley. Picture: Aden Stokes

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Kevin Mawdsley said Mr Watts was allegedly seen colliding with cars and is even accused of driving into a front yard where children were playing.

Police found Mr Watts and the truck near the Bruce Highway at Etna Creek about 4.15pm.

Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Mawdsley said police took him into custody on the highway in a 100km/h zone after wrestling him out of the truck cabin and tasing him when he continued to struggle.

He said after Mr Watts was arrested he allegedly damaged a police vehicle, kicking out a window and “rendering it inoperable” for a period of time.

Mr Watts was charged with robbery with actual violence while armed, dangerous operation of a vehicle, two counts of obstruct police and wilful damage.

His matter was mentioned on Tuesday, August 27 in court but he did not appear and did not make an application for bail.

No pleas have been entered.

Originally published as Mayor Adam Belot shares new details into Farnborough alleged armed robbery