William Noel Armstrong, 20, and Larcome Allan James Keith Brown charged over alleged stolen Hilux Ogmore crash

Court documents have revealed what police allege happened in the lead up to a serious stolen car crash which left one man critically injured. Two of the three males allegedly involved have had their matters mentioned in court.

Larcome Allan Brown (inset top) and William Noel Armstrong (inset bottom) have been charged over an alleged car theft and crash at Ogmore on Sunday, April 24, 2022.

Two of three men allegedly involved in a stolen vehicle crash near Ogmore on Sunday night have had their matters mentioned in court while the third man, Joshua Brown, fights for life in hospital with critical injuries.

Court documents obtained by this publication for allege a stolen Hilux travelled 51 metres from where it first crashed into a rock escarpment to its resting position after rolling and one of the passengers was ejected through the front passenger window.

According to the criminal records of both men, which were attached to police bail affidavits filed with the Rockhampton Magistrates Court, one of the accused had been sentenced in 2019 for offences including burglary, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, fraud and stealing.

That man, Larcome Allan James Keith Brown, 20, has been charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, robbery with violence while armed and in company, wilful damage, two counts of enter dwelling and commit indictable offence, one count of enter premises with intent, five counts of stealing, three counts of unlawful use of motor vehicles and two counts of receive tainted property for this set of alleged offences.

His co-accused in Sunday’s crash, William Noel Armstrong, 20, has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm or death as well as unlawful use of a motor vehicle, robbery with violence while armed and in company and wilful damage.

Larcome Allan James Keith Brown.

Defence lawyer Brandon Selic advised Rockhampton Magistrates Court, when ordering briefs of evidence, both men were on Return to Prison Warrants so no bail applications would be made.

Police affidavits prepared for potential bail applications, on the court’s file, outlined police allegations for the charges laid against Mr Armstrong and Mr Brown.

The documents also outlined Mr Brown’s criminal and driving records which included multiple convictions for unlawful use of motor vehicles and disqualified driving.

Police allege in the court documents that the pair conducted a ‘home invasion’ style robbery of a Berserker residence on Saturday about 3.20pm.

They are accused of being armed with a crowbar and metal pole when they knocked on the victim’s door.

Police allege in the documents the victim opened the door and the pair “barged past the victim and demanded the victim’s wallet and key card”.

Both are accused of punching the victim when he refused to provide the pin code for the key card.

The court documents claim that the next day, the pair allegedly stole a car from a 74-year-old man on Richardson Road, Park Avenue, while in company of a third co-accused.

According to the court documents the victim had been expecting visitors and had gone downstairs at the two-storey property when he heard noises, thinking his friends had arrived.

Police allege the man was confronted by the trio who took his silver Toyota Hilux keys and drove off in the vehicle.

“The victim in this matter attempted to stop his motor vehicle being stolen by standing in front of the vehicle before it has been driven out of his driveway,” the court documents allege.

“The victim had to move to the side as the vehicle drove at him.

“The victim’s hand then got stuck in the bullbar/side rail and (he) was dragged a short distance before being thrown out onto the street as it sped away.

“The victim in this matter suffered two broken ribs and further cuts and abrasion. It was extremely lucky the victim was not dragged further or more severely injured.”

In the court documents police allege that 90 minutes later, the stolen vehicle was involved in a single vehicle accident near Ogmore, more than 120km north of Rockhampton.

Mr Armstrong is the accused driver of the vehicle and Mr Brown allegedly sat in the back seat “and is lucky to be alive”.

William Noel Armstrong.

The police affidavit stated it was alleged the vehicle was driven erratically, sliding along the road before re-entering the correct side of the highway.

“The Hilux has then mounted the grass verge and crashed into the rock escarpment,” the document alleged.

The vehicle continued forward and then rolled, “scarring the rock face of the escarpment” before returning to the road and the front seat passenger, Joshua Brown, was ejected from the vehicle via the window and suffered a severe head injury.

Joshua Brown was unconscious and unresponsive when emergency services arrived with his condition categorised as critical and he was transported by Capricorn Rescue helicopter to Rockhampton Hospital.

“Police received information that the defendant and co-offenders were trying to flag down other vehicles in a likely attempt to flee the scene,” court documents alleged.

“A truck driver first at the scene ensured the remaining two occupants stayed at the scene until emergency services arrived,” a second court document alleged.

The court documents state the Capricornia Forensic Crash Unit attended the scene about 10pm due to the severity of the crash and observed the section of road where the crash occurred was a 110km/hr speed zone, with a single white line dividing the lanes.

“The escarpment gouging and shedding of vehicle components continued for 51 metres to where the Hilux has come to a rest,” the document alleged.

Mr Brown’s court file alleged police were investigating other alleged offences in which he was likely to be charged for at a later date.

“After being released (from prison on April 9), the defendant lasted just one month before committing his next offence of burglary,” the document states.

“Then, in just a six-week period since being released, the defendant again finds himself before the court in relation to 18 new offences including robbery, burglary, unlawful use of a motor vehicle and stealing.

“Police are confident the defendant has committed further offences that have either not been reported or there is insufficient evidence to currently commence proceedings against.”

Mr Armstrong’s matters were adjourned until June 8 and Mr Brown’s were adjourned until May 17 as his lawyer wants to case conference some alleged facts.

Mr Selic indicated to the court Mr Brown was likely to plead guilty to his charges.

Originally published as William Noel Armstrong, 20, and Larcome Allan James Keith Brown charged over alleged stolen Hilux Ogmore crash