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The unfolding drama began around 11:35 a.m. on Thursday when a Toyota Kluger, reportedly stolen, collided on the Bruce Highway near St Lawrence, roughly 159 kilometers south of Mackay.
Following the crash, the Kluger’s driver allegedly exited the vehicle and attacked a 77-year-old man. The suspect then reportedly commandeered a Toyota Hilux that had stopped to offer assistance at the crash site.
Police tracked the Hilux for a short period before deploying a spike strip on the Bruce Highway, successfully deflating the vehicle’s tires just before 12:30 p.m.
Undeterred, the suspect abandoned the immobilized Hilux and allegedly seized a nearby Nissan X-Trail, which had a cat inside, and made a swift getaway.
Authorities searched for two hours before discovering the X-Trail, which had been set ablaze, on Mackay Yakapari Road in Habana.
It took police two hours to locate the car, which was found burnt out on Mackay Yakapari Road in Habana.
The cat was found dead inside the wreckage.
Police found the man from Beaconsfield at a house on Canecutters Drive in Ooralea early the next morning, where he was arrested.
He was subsequently charged with one count of assault, arson, animal cruelty, robbery and attempted robbery, and two counts of stealing a vehicle and dangerous operation of a vehicle.
The man was also charged with three counts of stealing.
He has been remanded in custody and will reappear before Mackay Magistrates Court tomorrow.
