A 25-year-old Stafford Heights man has been charged following the alleged violent theft of a vehicle at Taringa and a string of other alleged offences across South West Queensland between Sunday April 10 and Tuesday April 12.
Initial investigations indicate a 19-year-old woman was in a grey Toyota Landcruiser in a Moggill Road carpark at Taringa at approximately 2am on Sunday April 10, when she was approached by a man who asked her for directions.
It is alleged the man then physically assaulted the woman, grabbing her by the neck and strangling her several times, pulling her out of the vehicle.
The woman was able to fight and run away, but it is alleged the man then stole the Toyota Landcruiser.
The 19-year-old was treated for grazes and scratches to her elbow, arm and neck.
It is alleged the vehicle is linked to a string of offences across South West Queensland between April 10 and April 12, including fuel drive-offs in Rolleston, Alpha, Longreach and Dingo.
Police are also investigating an incident on Monday April 11 at approximately 6pm where the vehicle was driven at police officers at a static Roadside Breath Testing site on the Landsborough Highway at Longreach.
On Tuesday April 12, at approximately 2.40pm police were called to reports of a man in a Toyota Landcruiser driving dangerously in Dulacca in Western Queensland.
It is alleged the vehicle was driving erratically, leaving the roadway and swerving into oncoming traffic causing other motorists to take evasive action.
It is further alleged the driver of the vehicle pointed what appeared to be a firearm at a passing vehicle.
Police successfully deployed a tyre deflation device at Miles, however the Landcruiser continued to drive on deflated tyres.
Officers pursued the vehicle until Chinchilla where the pursuit was abandoned due to safety concerns.
A second tyre deflation device was successfully deployed at Warra and police attempted to intercept the Landcruiser, where it is alleged it collided with a police vehicle before continuing along the Warrego Highway.
The vehicle was intercepted on Oakey Connection Road at Oakey, and a 25-year-old Stafford Heights man taken into custody.
He has been charged with unlawful entry of a vehicle for committing indictable offence at night (using violence), disabling in order to commit indictable offence (Taringa), armed robbery (using personal violence) and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
He is expected to appear before Toowoomba Magistrates Court today, Wednesday April 13.
Investigations into other alleged offences are ongoing.
Anyone with information or relevant dashcam footage is urged to contact police.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
