Man charged with armed robbery, arson and drug offences spanning southern Queensland

A 33-year-old man will front Toowoomba Magistrates Court today charged with a litany of alleged property, arson, armed robbery, theft, stolen car and drug offences spanning from Brisbane to Goondiwindi.

A 33-year-old man will face Toowoomba Magistrates Court after he was charged with a litany of offences including armed robbery, arson and possession of dangerous drugs.

A 33-year-old Darling Heights man has been charged with 81 offences after he was arrested following a high-speed pursuit where road spikes were used at Cecil Plains over the weekend.

Police allege that about 8.30pm on Saturday Esk police saw the man pulled over on the Warrego Highway in a Toyota HiLux utility that had been allegedly stolen from a Cecil Plains residence earlier that morning.

As police approached the vehicle it allegedly left the scene at speed and police, including Polair, tracked the vehicle as it continued at high speed along Gatton Esk Road.

As the pursuit continued road spikes were successfully deployed near Windsor Drive and the car came to a stop shortly after.

The man allegedly attempted to run from the scene before he was taken into custody.

Police have revealed the man was later charged with a total of 81 offences from alleged incidents that have taken place between March and May this year in areas including Goondiwindi, Warwick, Toowoomba, Dalby, Esk, Ipswich, Gatton and greater Brisbane. The offences include the alleged arson of several stolen vehicles, multiple break and enters at both business and residential addresses, armed robbery and more.

In total, the man was charged with 19 counts of enter with intent, 19 counts of stealing, 10 counts of unlawful use of vehicle, 10 counts of burglary, nine counts possess tainted property, three counts of arson, three counts of possess dangerous drugs, three traffic-related offences, two counts of evade police; and one count each of armed robbery, common assault and dangerous operation of a vehicle.

Detective Acting Inspector Paul McCusker said the charges followed extensive investigations into numerous incidents in the region.

“We will continue to work hard to help keep our community safe by tracking down people engaged in alleged criminal activity,” he said.

The man was due to appear in Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Monday.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.