An alleged violent 24-hour crime spree involving stolen firearms, multiple carjackings and shots fired at police has ended in a quiet Noosa street.
Sunshine Coast Police Inspector John Mahoney detailed the dramatic alleged events at a press conference at Coolum Beach police station this afternoon.
Inspector Mahoney said the alleged spree began with a break-in at Childers, where 12 firearms and a vehicle were stolen late yesterday.
Police located the burnt-out stolen vehicle at Lake Macdonald, near Noosa, this morning.
A short time later, police received reports of another alleged vehicle theft in the Lake Macdonald area.
Insp Mahoney said officers attempted to intercept the stolen vehicle with two men inside about 10am.
They arrested the 42-year-old passenger, but the driver allegedly rammed the police vehicle and escaped.
“The vehicle was later spotted driving north on the Bruce Highway towards Noosa, with police attempting to intercept it several times,” Insp Mahoney said.
The driver allegedly abandoned the vehicle in the Noosa Springs estate, but then took aim at police chasing him.
Using a long-range firearm, he allegedly fired at the police helicopter. He also fired at a police vehicle chasing him.
Insp Mahoney said police were forced to retreat and the man escaped on foot.
However, about 20 minutes later, police received reports an armed man had allegedly carjacked a woman in Noosa Springs.
An officer in an unmarked police vehicle saw the stolen car driving on the wrong side of the road and deliberately collided with it to stop the driver.
This brought the police chase to an end in the quiet, leafy street in Noosa Springs.
Noosa Springs resident, Britta Jennings said the street had been closed and the noticeboard highlighted shots had been fired.
The 21-year-old driver from Hervey Bay was taken into custody.
Police located a firearm next to the stolen vehicle, and the man was allegedly in possession of a large hunting knife.
He was taken to Nambour Hospital under police guard.
Inspector Mahoney confirmed the two men were related.
A 21-year-old from Hervey Bay and a 42-year-old from Gladstone would be charged with “several serious offences” this evening and were due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court tomorrow (Friday).
Police believe other members of the public may have been approached by the armed man while he was on the run and are urging anyone with information to come forward.
EARLIER
Police have shut down a “quiet, leafy” street near a tourist mecca, and a man is in custody after a daylight shooting on the Sunshine Coast.
Officers were called to Currie St, Nambour, about 11am to reports a stolen car had driven at a police vehicle before it fled the scene.
A passenger in the vehicle was arrested after exiting, but the driver escaped.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman said the car was later seen driving dangerously on the Bruce Hwy at Noosa Heads, and was eventually found abandoned.
“It is alleged the driver stole a second vehicle, at which time a number of shots were reportedly fired,” she said.
“No one was injured.”
Police found the second stole vehicle at Smoke Bush Dr, Noosa Heads, and seized multiple weapons before arresting a second man.
“A brief declaration was made under the Public Safety Preservation Act, it was cancelled a short time later,” the spokeswoman said.
Police believe there is no further threat to the public, and investigations remain ongoing.
Officers have taped off a section of Smoke Bush Dr, near the Noosa Springs Golf and Spa Resort, after the alleged incident.
Police are investigating a badly damaged gold Toyota which has a child’s seat and baby blankets in the back seat.
There are also several firearms on the ground near the car.
There were five police officers investigation on scene as of 3pm on Thursday afternoon, August 27.
Local resident Britta Jennings told this publication neighbours didn’t know what was happening until they heard helicopters flying overhead.