Two Charged With Theft, Arson in Wide Bay, Sunshine Coast

Police have charged two men following a series of offences from Wide Bay to the Sunshine Coast between 24 and 27 August.

Initial investigations indicate at approximately 9am on 26 August, multiple firearms were stolen from an address on Huxley Road in Childers.

Police allege the two male offenders left the scene in a white Mitsubishi Triton, which was stolen from a Jonie Court address in Bli Bli between 24 August and 25 August.

The stolen Mitsubishi was later located burnt out at Lake MacDonald on the Sunshine Coast at 5am on 27 August.

It is alleged the same offenders then stole a second vehicle, a silver Nissan Maxima, from Lake MacDonald Drive, Cooroy around 3:25am.

Following subsequent investigations, police located that vehicle at a service station on Currie Street in Nambour around 11am where it's alleged the driver drove at police.

The passenger of the vehicle, a 44-year-old West Gladstone man, was taken into custody after exiting the vehicle.

It is further alleged the driver fled the scene and was later seen driving dangerously northbound on the Bruce Highway near Noosa.

Police later located the vehicle at Honey Myrtle Road in Noosa Heads, where it is alleged the man fired a single shot towards a POLAIR helicopter.

It will be further alleged the man fled the scene on foot and stole a third vehicle, a brown Toyota Yaris, at gunpoint from an address on Habitat Place in Noosa Heads.

Shortly after 12.30pm, police located the vehicle at Smoke Bush Drive and a second man, a 21-year-old from Hervey Bay, was taken into custody.

Multiple firearms and a large knife were seized from the vehicle.

An emergency declaration was made under the Public Safety Preservation Act and was revoked a short time later.

The 21-year-old man has been charged with 30 offences including five counts of enter dwelling and commit, three counts of serious assault of a police officer, two counts each of enter premises with intent whilst armed, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and possessing dangerous drugs, and one count each of arson, reckless discharge or a weapon towards a building or vehicle, discharge of a weapon in a public place, threatening violence, deprivation of liberty, armed robbery, unlawful possession of category A and B weapons, attempted enter premises with intent, and stealing.

He is expected to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 28 August.

The 44-year-old man has been charged with 15 offences including five counts of enter dwelling and commit, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count each of arson, unlawful possession of a category M weapon, serious assault of a police officer, attempted enter premises with intent, stealing, possessing tainted property, possessing dangerous drugs, and trespass.

He is also expected to face Maroochydore Magistrates Court on 28 August.

Quote these reference numbers: QP2601669232, QP2601673673, QP2601674263

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.

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