A man’s accused of stealing a Sunshine Coast meat delivery truck and taking it on a dangerous driving spree across the south-east.
It’s alleged the Fresh Meats Maroochydore truck was stolen from Mooloolaba Wharf where it was delivering to restaurants at 8.20am yesterday.
Around 4.45pm police received multiple calls about the truck being driven dangerously on the Bruce Highway at Caboolture.
The police helicopter and police vehicles tracked the truck as it headed south, damaging multiple vehicles on the M1 at Woolloongabba and Holland Park.
The truck crashed into the deck of a home in Allinga Street at Mansfield and the driver ran from officers who quickly arrested him without incident.
The 31-year-old Tara man has been charged with one count each of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle whilst adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, robbery with violence, two counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and three counts each of stealing and possession of dangerous drugs.
He is due to appear before the Cleveland Magistrates Court today, June 20.
Meanwhile, Damien John from Fresh Meats Maroochydore has praised customers who responded to a Facebook post about the stolen truck by sending in pictures and comments when they had spotted the distinctive black and white logo of the truck at Kunda Park, Bli Bli and later in Yandina.
He said the theft has widespread consequences.
“Anything up to $40,000 worth including the meat that was stolen. We can’t guarantee the quality of that meat so that is going to have to be disposed of.
“It’s very disheartening not only from our point of view but for the driver. He had his wallet and own car keys and own phone in the truck,” Mr John said.
“To the customers that we couldn’t deliver to that day to the staff back in the butcher shop because they had too repack all the orders again because our motto is “We Deliver”.
One customer followed the truck and updated police where it was.
Police urge anyone who witnessed the incident or sustained damage to their vehicle to contact Policelink.
Investigations are ongoing.
