Graham Enniss in police custody after dramatic manhunt

A MAN is in police custody after a dramatic manhunt and arrest that involved shots being fired on Sunday night.

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A MAN is in police custody after a dramatic manhunt and arrest that involved shots being fired on Sunday night.

Tasmania Police charged the 34-year-old last night with a number of burglary, firearm and assault offences.

Graham John Ennis ­appeared in the Devonport Magistrates Court tonight.

He was flanked by four police officers in the dock.

Ennis is facing multiple charges including firearm theft, aggravated burglary and five counts of aggravated ­assault involving the pointing and firing of a rifle at officers.

Ennis became agitated and was asked multiple times to be quiet by Justice of the Peace Toni Brown.

“How can I point a gun at five people?” he said. “Did it have six barrels?”

Ennis was remanded in custody to reappear via video link in the Burnie Magistrates court today where he is expected to apply for bail.

Police claim Mr Ennis stole firearms from the Black River area in the three weeks they allege he committed a series of crimes across the Circular Head region.

He was captured about 7pm on Sunday after police were alerted that he was on Mawbanna Rd, near Peggs Beach.

Police allege a vehicle driven by Mr Ennis entered a dairy farm and they followed at a safe distance.

Police said the Irishtown man left the car, took aim and fired one shot in the direction of police vehicles.

Police claim he then entered the car and drove through a paddock fence and towards the Bass Highway, which was closed to public traffic at the time.

Special operations officers then shot out the tyres of the ute Mr Ennis was driving and arrested him.

Neither police nor the offender were injured in the shootout.

Commander Lachland Avery said police were chasing him in relation to an alleged three-week crime spree.

Cdr Avery alleged that Mr Ennis’ offending had escalated over the past few days and at least 20 officers were involved in Sunday’s manhunt.

“To get this result without injury is a great result,” he said.

“Police would like to thank the residents of Circular Head who provided assistance.”

Tasmania Police expect to charge the 34-year-old with a number of burglary, firearm and assault offences this afternoon.

Police claim Enniss stole firearms from the Black River area.

Enniss was captured at about 7pm after a member of the public alerted police that they had spotted Enniss driving a stolen white ute on Mawbanna Rd.

Police saw the vehicle enter a private dairy farm and followed at a “safe” distance.

Police allege Enniss, of nearby Irishtown, got out of the car, took aim and fired one shot in the direction of police vehicles.

Police claim he then got back in the car and drove through a paddock fence and towards the Bass Highway.

The highway was closed to public traffic at the time.

Special operations officers then shot out the tyres of the ute Enniss was driving and arrested him.

Neither police nor the offender were injured in the shoot-out.

Police were chasing Enniss in relation to an alleged three-week crime spree.

Commander Lauchland Avery alleged that Enniss’ offending had escalated over the past few days and at least 20 officers were involved in yesterday’s manhunt.

“To get this result without injury is a great result,” Commander Avery said.

“Police would like to thank the residents of Circular Head who provided assistance.”