Police have charged a man with 17 offences after he was allegedly found in possession of a firearm in Gympie last night, 31 July.
During proactive patrols of a shopping centre carpark on Ramsey Road around 8.45pm, police located a silver Mazda 3, allegedly with stolen registration plates.
Police stopped to speak to the driver of the Mazda and the three passengers, when the Mazda allegedly reversed into a police car then drove forward into bushes, damaging both vehicles. The occupants of the Mazda allegedly ran from the vehicle.
Police chased the male driver and he was arrested a short time later.
The man allegedly dropped a firearm onto the ground just before he was arrested.
During a search of the man, police allegedly located ammunition, a drug utensil and cash.
The Mazda 3 was seized for forensic examination and a search of the vehicle allegedly located dangerous drugs, drug utensils and medicines.
No one was injured during the incident.
The registration plates attached to the Mazda were allegedly stolen from a Southside address between midnight and 1.30am on 31 July.
A 32-year-old Gympie man has been charged with 17 offences including five counts of possessing dangerous drugs, two counts of obstruct police officer, two counts of driving of motor vehicle without a driver licence and one count each of dangerous operation of a vehicle, possess shortened firearms, receiving or possessing property obtain from trafficking or supplying, possess utensils or pipes etc for use, authority required to possess explosives, offence to buy or possess 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.
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.
