May 23, 2025

Carter Capner Law monitors accidents involving cars, motorcycles, trucks, busses, cyclists and trams throughout Australia to spotlight safety issues of concern to our clients and to demonstrate those situations in which they may have a right to an insurance or compensation recovery. We act for drivers, riders, passengers, pedestrians. Call today on 1300 529 529 or click here to reach Carter Capner Law. Click on Client Showcase to view our history of road accident compensation claims.

Incident Overview
A high-risk incident unfolded on the Warrego Highway near Dulacca , Queensland, on Wednesday, May 22, 2025 , involving a traffic crash followed by an alleged armed robbery .

At approximately 8:45 pm , emergency services were called to reports of a collision between a Ford Everest and a semi-trailer . After the crash, a 23-year-old man exited the Everest allegedly armed with a firearm and robbed a couple who had stopped to assist at the scene. The suspect stole their Ford Courier and fled towards Miles and Chinchilla .

Around 9:30 pm , police from Chinchilla — with assistance from the South West Tactical Crime Squad and Miles Police Station — deployed tyre deflation devices , successfully stopping the stolen vehicle a short distance away on the Warrego Highway in Chinchilla. The suspect attempted to flee on foot before being taken into custody.

During a search of the Everest, officers located:

  • Two firearms
  • 254 grams of methamphetamine
  • Cash

The suspect has been charged with armed robbery , possession of dangerous drugs , unlawful possession of weapons , possession of proceeds of a crime , and drug driving . He was due to appear in Dalby Magistrates Court on May 23, 2025 .

“It is alleged he stole the couple’s Ford Courier and fled the scene.”
— Queensland Police Service statement

Location and Time

  • Crash & Robbery Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2025 (approximately 8:45 pm).
  • Location: Warrego Highway, Dulacca, Queensland.
  • Vehicle Stop: Chinchilla, after the suspect fled the initial crash site.

Vehicles Involved

  • A **Ford Everest**, which crashed with a semi-trailer and was found to contain **firearms and drugs**.
  • A **semi-trailer**, involved in the initial crash but not part of the robbery.
  • A **Ford Courier**, stolen from a Good Samaritan couple and later used in a high-speed evasion before being stopped by police in Chinchilla.

Injuries

  • No Injuries:
    • The truck driver, a 37-year-old man from Alice Springs, was unharmed.
    • The occupants of the Ford Courier — a 78-year-old man and 64-year-old woman from Ipswich — were not physically injured but were victims of the alleged robbery.
  • Non-Life-Threatening Injuries:
    • The 23-year-old male suspect required medical treatment and was taken to Dalby Hospital before appearing in court.

Emergency Response

  • Police responded to the initial crash report on the Warrego Highway near Dulacca.
  • Following the robbery, authorities initiated a pursuit and set up roadblocks leading to the use of **tyre deflation devices** in Chinchilla.
  • The suspect was arrested without further incident after abandoning the stolen vehicle and attempting to flee on foot.

Charges and Legal Proceedings
The 23-year-old man from Crows Nest has been formally charged with:

  • Armed robbery
  • Possession of dangerous drugs
  • Unlawful possession of weapons
  • Possession of proceeds of a crime
  • Drug driving

He appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on May 23, 2025.

Operation Whiskey Firestorm Context
This incident falls under Operation Whiskey Firestorm , a statewide Queensland Police initiative targeting illicit firearms and drug-related offending.

The operation focuses on:

  • Firearm safety audits
  • Disrupting illegal firearm activity
  • Working with licensed owners to ensure compliance and community safety

In 2024, QPS revoked 1,055 firearm licenses and recorded over 3,290 offences involving firearms, including attempted murder , assault , robbery , and unlawful entry .

Community Impact
This unusual case highlights the intersection of road safety , violent crime , and illicit drug activity in rural Queensland. It also underscores the risks faced by members of the public who stop to assist at crash scenes.

For more information on Operation Whiskey Firestorm and firearm safety initiatives, visit: QPS Operations and Safety Campaigns

Appeal for Information
Queensland Police are continuing their investigation and urge anyone with information about this incident or related offenses to come forward: