Tasmania Police accuse man of erratic behaviour, being armed before stealing vehicle he then crashed

Police swarm to incident where alleged armed man is accused of driving stolen vehicle into building.

Latest breaking news updates.

For the latest, follow The Beat, the Mercury’s live breaking news blog with the latest traffic, police, fire and ambulance news across the state.

Man allegedly armed with knife accused of crashing stolen vehicle

March 26, 10.30am: A man who was allegedly armed with a knife was acting erratically before being accused of stealing a vehicle he then crashed into a building in a Hobart suburb.

Police said they first responded to reports of an armed man behaving erratically at Moreton Crescent, Claremont around 9.30am.

Officers allege he then stole a vehicle, drove into the Goodwood area where he then crashed into a building on Longreach Ave and entered the premises.

Police said they swarmed the scene within minutes and quickly took the man into custody.

The building was evacuated following the incident.

Emergency services are at the scene and people are asked to avoid the area.

Police believe there is no ongoing risk to the community.

Driver believed to have suffered medical episode dies after crash

March 25, 3.45pm: A man in his 50s is believed to have suffered a medical episode while driving has died, police confirm.

The incident on Marine Esplanade at Stanley resulted in the vehicle the man was driving crashing into another vehicle, which then struck a pedestrian.

Police said the pedestrian has suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and has been flown to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

The crash was first reported about 12.40pm, and police have asked for people to avoid the area until its cleared.

Plea for information on former officer facing child abuse charge

1.15pm: The specialist team investigating a former police officer facing a child abuse charge is urging the public to come forward with any potential information.

Dale Cook was charged with allegedly accessing child exploitation material and on February 26, a specialist team was announced to lead an investigation into the former officer.

Acting Commissioner Jonathan Higgins said they were looking into Cook’s entire career to determine whether he used his position as a police office to commit further crimes.

“The investigation has independent oversight by the Integrity Commission and is being run concurrently with the criminal case he is currently facing charges over,” Acting Commissioner Higgins said.

“We strongly encourage anyone with information to come forward, as every piece of information, no matter how small, can be key to the outcome of an investigation.”

Anyone with information is urged to come forward by May 5, 2025, however new details will be examined after this time, he said.

There are several ways information can be provided to investigators, including:

*Sending a direct email to the investigation team at [e-mail]

*Submitting an online form which allows you the option or remaining anonymous, or providing your details if you are willing to be contacted.

*Submitting a report to the Tasmania Police Professional Standards online portal.

*If you would like to meet in person, contact the investigation team at [e-mail] and they will arrange this at a time and place that ensures confidentiality.

“An important part of the investigation is also receiving any relevant information from people who have previously been in the workplace with Dale Cook, and our staff are being contacted to facilitate this.”

Vehicle search allegedly uncovers shortened semiautomatic rifle

March 24, 10.20am: A man is facing multiple charges after police allegedly seized a shortened semiautomatic rifle and a large amount of cash during a vehicle search at Westbury on Sunday.

Police said the vehicle allegedly dodged officer’s pursuit on Mary St before then finding it parked behind a Westbury business.

The driver — a 33-year-old Kings Meadows man — was drug tested and returned a positive result, police allege.

Officers allege the rifle, methylamphetamine, illegal stimulants, prescription drugs and more than $120k in cash was found following a search of the man’s vehicle, with the cash believed to be proceeds of crime.

The driver was charged with multiple firearm and drug-related offences, including possess prohibited firearm to which a firearms licence may not be issued, possess shortened firearm, possess controlled drug and dealing with property suspected of being proceeds of crime.

He is set to appear in the Launceston Magistrates Court today.

Originally published as Tasmania Police accuse man of erratic behaviour, being armed before stealing vehicle he then crashed