A 32-year-old Gympie man has been charged with 17 offences after Police allege he rammed their police car with a vehicle with stolen plates and dropped a sawn-off shotgun on the ground while attempting to flee the scene at the Southside Shopping centre last night, 31 July.
Police allege the man was apprehended after the altercation at around 8.45pm, sparked when police attempted to question him and three passengers in a silver Mazda 3 regarding the allegedly stolen registration plates.
That’s when police say the man deliberately reversed into the police car and then attempted to drive forward, but damaged both cars in the process.
The driver and three passengers then attempted to escape on foot, with the driver being arrested a short time later.
The police seized the vehicle for forensic examination, allegedly locating dangerous drugs, drug utensils and medicines.
No one was injured during the incident.
Police believe the stolen plates were taken from a vehicle at a Southside address sometime between midnight and 1.30am the previous morning of 31 July.
In addition to five counts of possessing dangerous drugs, the driver was charged with two counts of obstructing a police officer, two counts of driving a motor vehicle without a driver’s licence and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, possess shortened firearms, receiving or possessing property obtained from trafficking or supplying, possessing utensils for illicit drug use, lacking authority required to possess explosives, illegally possessing medicines, stealing and receiving tainted property.
He has been refused police bail and is due to appear in Gympie Magistrates Court today, 1 August.
The three passengers of the Mazda remain outstanding, and anyone with information is urged to contact police.
Investigations are ongoing.
