A dramatic police pursuit in Townsville has ended with the arrest of a man discovered hiding at a local waste disposal site.
Chase Ends at the Dump
Queensland Police apprehended 39-year-old Darrell Charles Clarke on Tuesday, 23 April, following a search of the Stuart waste facility. Officers had been attempting to intercept a vehicle on Ross River Road in Annandale earlier that day. The driver, alleged to be Clarke, failed to stop for police, initiating a pursuit.
The chase was terminated shortly after due to safety concerns, but police continued their investigation. Later that afternoon, police located the abandoned vehicle on Healy Street in Aitkenvale. This discovery led officers to conduct a search of the nearby Stuart waste facility, a large industrial area on the city's outskirts.
Discovery and Charges
During a systematic search of the dump, police found Clarke attempting to conceal himself amongst waste and machinery. He was taken into custody without further incident.
Darrell Charles Clarke, a resident of Cranbrook, was subsequently charged with a string of offences. The charges include:
- Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle
- Evading police
- Driving without a licence
- Possession of a dangerous drug (specifically cannabis)
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Possession of a knife in a public place
Clarke was denied police bail and is scheduled to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Wednesday, 24 April.
Police Statement and Community Impact
A Queensland Police Service spokesperson confirmed the details of the arrest, highlighting the coordinated effort to locate the suspect after the initial pursuit was called off. The spokesperson emphasised the risks associated with evading police and commended the officers for their diligent search which led to a safe apprehension.
Incidents like this highlight ongoing police activity in the Townsville region aimed at targeting traffic offences and related crime. The use of the Stuart waste facility as a hiding spot is an unusual twist in a local police operation, demonstrating the lengths to which some individuals will go to avoid capture.
The community is reminded to report any suspicious activity to Policelink or Crime Stoppers. The swift location and arrest of the man serves as a reminder of the consequences of engaging in dangerous driving and attempting to evade law enforcement.
