Townsville driver arrested at gunpoint after police chase

Police have been forced to pull their guns on a man driving a stolen ute down the wrong side of the road in Townsville overnight.

“Get out of the car! Get out of the car right now! Stop the vehicle! Get out of the car!” police are heard shouting at the man in body camera video.

At around 2am today, police attempted to intercept the allegedly stolen vehicle on Nathan Street in Vincent, when the driver sped away and a chase ensued.

In the next 20 minutes, the 18-year-old driver attempts to ram the pursuing police car, forcing police to swerve out of the way.

“He’s trying to line up for a ram, but standby,” police are heard saying into their radios.

The ute then speeds threateningly towards another passing vehicle before crossing a median strip and driving down the wrong side of the road.

The chase finally ends when, in attempting to evade police, the ute drives into a ditch and becomes bogged off Dalrymple Road.

That’s when police pounce on the driver, guns raised and shouting.

The 18-year-old driver of the car was wanted over dangerous driving, causing damage to other cars and property and multiple break and enters.

“Look it’s always a concern people are behaving in that manner and driving in that manner – and this could be the tip of the iceberg,” Tony Flanders from Queensland Police said.

Police are also investigating whether the car was the same one used in a bungled break-in earlier this week, which resulted in shots being fired into a family home.

The Hermit Park man remains behind bars tonight, facing 13 charges including four counts of failing to stop a motor vehicle and driving unlicensed, three counts of dangerous driving and break and enter.