Man punches police officer in attempt to flee with stolen car

Quick thinking Sunshine Coast detectives arrested a man and woman at Nambour on the afternoon of January 28 after the alleged stolen car they were driving rammed a police car.

At around 5.40pm detectives spotted a stolen white Toyota Kluger wagon parked outside a house on Webster Road at Nambour.

Police approached the car however the driver allegedly reversed into a police car in an attempt to flee.

One of the officers opened the driver’s door in an effort to immobilise the vehicle, but was allegedly repeatedly punched by the driver, who then drove off down Webster Road with the officer still in the driver’s side of the car.

The stolen car was eventually brought to a stop around 100 metres down the road when it crashed into the side of another police car.

The alleged driver, a 31-year-old man, was removed from the car and arrested. An alleged passenger of the car, a 23-year-old Buderim woman, was also taken into custody and charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, obstruct police and possess tainted property.

The driver was allegedly found in possession of drugs and a utensil while search of the vehicle located a uncovered handgun inside the cabin.

The 33-year-old male officer involved in the arrest was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

A 31-year-old Coolum Beach man has been charged with 15 offences including three counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, two counts of receiving tainted property and evasion, and one count each of serious assault police, dangerous operation a motor vehicle, unlawful possession of weapons, stealing, possess dangerous drugs, driving unlicensed and fail to take reasonable care in respect to syringe or needle.

He was due to appear in the Maroochydore Magistrates Court last week, while the woman is due to appear on February 25.