Arrest of property offender, police vehicles rammed at Kuranda

Tableland detectives have charged a man with seven offences after three police vehicle were allegedly rammed at Kuranda on Friday afternoon, March 13.

It will be alleged police attended an isolated rural property at Oak Forest Road at around 3.10pm to speak with a man in relation to a large number of property offences committed between July 2019 and March 2020.

As one of the police vehicles pulled up and officers exited the car, a man ran to a stolen Toyota Landcruiser 4WD with large bullbar, which was parked nearby.

He revved the engine before driving it at the police vehicle, where one of the offficers was standing next to an open door. This officer was forced to jumped back into the police car, narrowly avoiding being hit by the vehicle as it struck the door of the police car.

The 4WD then drove past the first police car, down the driveway before colliding head-on with a second police vehicle.

This collision forced the second police vehicle backways and into the front of a third police car.

The 4WD then drove down a steep embankment before striking a tree. The man remained in the car continuing to rev the engine and spinning the tyres.

Police continued to yell at the driver, directing him to exit the vehicle.

The man was arrested after officer’s smashed the side driver’s window to gain access to the vehicle, having to then physically restrain the man.

A 32-year-old Rossville man has been charged with seven offences including acts intended to prevent lawful arrest, serious assault police, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle whilst adversely affected by an intoxicating substance , unlawful use of a motor vehicle and three counts of wilful damage.

He has been denied police bail and is due to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court tomorrow (Monday, March 16).

Charges in relation to a number of property offences are expected.

No police officers sustained serious injuries and all three police vehicles were damaged.

The Toyota Landcruiser was stolen from a Tolga home on March 6.

/Public Release. View in full here.