THE police dog from Tamworth has helped to capture a wanted man who allegedly tried to run from officers during a chase in and around the NSW/Queensland border.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Luke Jones was taken to Moree hospital on Thursday following his arrest in a Mungindi house that morning.
Police had been hunting the 27-year-old since earlier this week as part of a major search from Mungindi to Dirranbandi in Queensland. Police claim he was travelling with Bruce Dyball who was arrested on Wednesday.
It was a tip-off from the public that led New England police, the dog squad and Queensland officers to a Bucknell Street property in Mungindi about 9am.
“About 8am on Thursday we received information he was in the Mungindi township and police went to five separate addresses and searched them with consent of the residents,” New England Superintendent Scott Tanner told Fairfax Media.
He then broke through the back door of a residence and was taken down by the police dog and apprehended by officers and placed into handcuffs.
- New England Superintendent Scott Tanner
“About 9am, we received a specific address and as officers approached that house, the 27-year-old offender jumped from the window and was pursued by officers and the police dog.
“He then broke through the back door of a residence and was taken down by the police dog and apprehended by officers and placed into handcuffs.”
Jones was still in Moree hospital late on Thursday being treated for “minor injuries”, police said.
Superintendent Tanner said Jones would then be questioned on allegations stemming from break-and-enters in the Mungindi area last week where 13 firearms were stolen – nine have since been recovered.
SEE ALSO:
Early on Thursday, Queensland police revealed they had charged Bruce Dyball with 22 offences including dangerous driving, dangerous conduct with a weapon, discharging a weapon and assault.
Superintendent Tanner said without the force’s resources, including the dog unit and police radio operatives, and community help, the arrests would not have been possible.
“The support from the community in Mungindi, they’re a tight-knit community and they want to keep their town safe and they really stepped up to assist police and that assistance was incredible,” he said.