Bowen man charged after police helicopter tracks stolen Mazda in Cairns

A wild police chase has ended with the stolen Mazda being disabled with police road spikes before the car careened out of control into a vehicle driven by an 81-year-old pensioner.

A Bowen man has been charged after Polair allegedly tracked a stolen Mazda driving against traffic on a busy Cairns road, before the alleged thief crashed into an elderly man’s car and fled on foot. Brendan Radke

A Bowen man has been charged after Polair allegedly tracked a stolen Mazda driving against traffic on a busy Cairns road, before the alleged thief crashed into an elderly man’s car and fled on foot.

On November 21, a police helicopter allegedly observed a stolen Mazda CX-5 driving on the wrong side of Alfred Street in Manunda, with a 24-year-old Bowen man allegedly behind the wheel.

The vehicle had been taken from a Mooroobool property the day before, police allege.

Police successfully used a tyre inflation device on the vehicle, but the 24-year-old allegedly continued driving before crashing into a Mitsubishi Eclipse on McCoombe Street.

The man then allegedly fled the vehicle on Brophy Street before he was arrested.

The 81-year-old driver of the Eclipse sustained minor injuries and was taken to Cairns Hospital as a precaution.

Police from the Property Crime Unit and Tactical Crime Squad charged the 24-year-old with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving of motor vehicle without a driver's licence.

He was remanded in custody and is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court on January 28.

Originally published as Bowen man charged after police helicopter tracks stolen Mazda in Cairns