Russell Andrew White jailed for crime spree that saw him point gun at police while in stolen car

Cornered in a no-through road while in a stolen car and wanted on numerous warrants, a Toowoomba man pointed a gun at police in an attempt to escape arrest that ended in gunfire. Full details inside.

Just eight days after being released on parole, a Toowoomba man went on a crime spree in stolen cars that ended in gunfire on a quiet suburban street.

Russell Andrew White fronted Toowoomba Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to 22 offences, including six counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, seven counts of stealing and going armed so as to cause fear.

The court was told the 39-year-old’s spree began on March 26, 2022, when he was driving a stolen car and committed a fuel drive-off at Blacksoil, and three days later he did the same thing in another stolen car.

Russell Andrew White, 39, has faced Toowoomba Magistrates Court for multiple offences, including pointing a gun at police while in a stolen car.

Police prosecutor Cameron Francis said White’s offending continued throughout the Darling Downs in April with further thefts of fuel in stolen cars, which culminated on May 6 when White was spotted by police in a fourth stolen car in Harristown.

Recognising White as the driver of the vehicle, who was wanted on a number of warrants, police followed him down Dempsey Street.

Realising he was in a no-through road, Mr Francis said White then drove at police, producing a black handgun which he held out the vehicle’s window, pointing it at police.

Describing the officers as “sitting ducks”, Mr Francis said police responded in self-defence by firing at the vehicle.

Investigators at a police incident in Harristown, Friday, May 6, 2022. Picture: Kevin Farmer

White’s passenger suffered a non-fatal gunshot wound as a result, and he was taken to hospital after White fled.

“That’s an aggravating feature, that he was willing to put himself, the police officers and another person at risk by producing this gun all in an attempt to evade police and not go back to prison,” Mr Francis said.

White was arrested a few days later, and has been in custody since May 9.

Solicitor Nathan Bouchier said White had a long criminal history associated with his drug addiction, but the father of two was working towards rehabilitation.

Mr Bouchier said his client had been sexually abused when he was a child, and that his life had fallen apart as a teenager that saw him spiral into drug use, an issue that have plagued him since.

Magistrate Kay Philipson sentenced White to 18 months jail, with a parole eligibility date of November 9. He was also disqualified from driving for two years.