A man’s facing a string of charges after leading police on a chaotic, hours-long dangerous driving spree across the Gold Coast.
Police allege the ordeal began around 4pm on Monday in Surfers Paradise following an attempted car break-in, prompting a multi-suburb chase involving POLAIR.
The vehicle was tracked as it travelled through Molendinar, Southport, and Ashmore, with the driver allegedly mounting footpaths, forcing pedestrians to take evasive action to avoid being struck.
“On several occasions it is alleged a passenger stood through the vehicle’s sunroof and threw ignited flares onto roads in Southport,” Queensland Police said.
The pursuit finally came to an end when the vehicle was abandoned on The Crescent at Ashmore around 7pm, where the occupants allegedly fled on foot.
The passenger was taken into custody at the scene, while the driver was sniffed out by the dog squad on nearby Mulyan Place and arrested.
During a search, police allegedly located a quantity of methylamphetamine in his possession.
The 35-year-old Oxley man has been charged with two counts of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and driving under the influence of an intoxicating substance, and one count each of possessing dangerous drugs, obstructing a police officer and driving a motor vehicle while disqualified.
He was due to appear at Southport Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
Investigations are ongoing.
