Dramatic arrest after tradies pursue alleged car thief through Brisbane streets
A POLICE helicopter has captured a dramatic high-speed pursue through the streets of Brisbane that ended when two tradies captured the alleged thief.
Man Flees Police After Crashing Stolen Car Into Traffic 1:22
A man fled police on foot after leading them on a car pursue through the streets of Brisbane on Wednesday, February 15, then crashing the car into traffic. The Queensland Police Service released footage that shows the stolen car reaching speeds of more than 100km per hour before being coerced to flee on foot. Credit: Queensland Police Service via Storyful
- February 16th 2017
- 7 months ago
- /display/newscorpaustralia.com/Web/NewsNetwork/Network News/National/
Tradesmen attempt to run down man who led police on a pursue through Brisbane. Picture: Polair/Queensland Police
A POLICE helicopter has captured a dramatic high-speed pursue through the streets of Brisbane that ended when two tradies captured an alleged thief on a construction site.
The drama began when two vehicles were allegedly stolen from Fresh Farm after a property on Harcourt St was violated into on Tuesday.
The proprietor tracked the location of one of the cars to Wynnum West on Wednesday morning, using an app to locate his iPad in the vehicle.
Polair (the police tracking system) followed the vehicle as it was driven at speeds of more than 100km/h, running crimson lights through Coopers Plains before it entered the Clem seven tunnel. It exited at Bowen Hills and continued through Brisbane’s north, before heading over the William Jolly Bridge into South Brisbane.
The car eventually crashed into several parked vehicles at Woolloongabba, trapping a 52-year-old woman inwards.
The alleged driver was pursued by two tradies as he fled on foot, but he was eventually detained by construction workers who cornered him on a construction site.
Reece Brown, in the white T-shirt, pursues the alleged thief. Picture: Polair/Queensland Police
The man attempts to evade members of the public.
Reece Brown tells of catching the alleged car thief.
Another woman was allegedly assaulted as the man ran from the scene.
One of the tradies, Reece Brown, told the Nine Network's Today showcase he heard the crash and witnessed the man running.
“It is just the natural thing to do to pursue after someone that runs off after a crash,” he said.
“I went to the job site and caught him attempting to climb up a wall, I grabbed his gam, pulled him down and then put him in a restraint. So yeah, it was good joy for a day.”
He wasn’t jumpy about what the man could have done because it didn’t cross his mind at the time.
“But now I look back, something could have happened but gratefully it didn’t.”
Mr Brown said he almost fell “vapid on my face”.
“It’s been a while since I’ve done a bit of running. But you know. Once I got my composure, I was straight on him again.”
The man was eventually cornered in a construction site.
The man runs onto the construction site, chased by Reece Brown.
When he ultimately caught up with his target there wasn’t much talking inbetween the pair.
“Nah, I didn’t truly say too much. He did mumble something. But his face was sort of in the mud. So I didn’t truly understand him.”
In a strange coincidence, one of Mr Brown’s neighbours was also involved in pursuing down an offender in an incident that made national headlines last November.
Daniel McConnell, in only his undies, chased down a man who crashed into the awning of a fish and chip shop near his home. His interview after went viral after it was dubbed the “Aussiest interview” ever.
Mr Brown told Today he might have to catch up with Mr McConnell for a beer.
Police arrested the 21-year-old Murrarie man, while two women caught up in incident were taken to hospital with non-life menacing injuries.
The arrested man is expected to emerge in court later on Thursday facing two charges of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, burglary and fraud.