A wild police pursuit involving multiple stolen cars across South East Queensland reached a bizarre climax in a Brisbane suburb, when one suspect allegedly fled onto a roof and was confronted by a naked resident who refused to hand over his car keys.
Multi-Vehicle Spree Triggers Major Police Operation
The dramatic series of events began on the morning of December 30, when Queensland Police started tracking three stolen vehicles in the South Brisbane region. The operation involved PolAir and the Dog Squad. The vehicles in question were a silver BMW, a white Toyota Camry, and a blue Mercedes.
Police allege the Toyota and Mercedes had been stolen from homes in Sherwood and Sinnamon Park earlier that same morning. The silver BMW was located at Monier Rd in Darra around 11:45 am, with the Toyota found shortly after on Ashridge Rd in the same suburb.
Undeterred, the men allegedly then stole a black GWM utility from an address on Alpine Crescent in Chambers Flat at approximately 2:40 pm. This vehicle was later abandoned at Park Ridge, as the suspects reportedly returned to the stolen Mercedes and travelled north on the Pacific Motorway towards Brisbane City.
Tyre Spikes and a Tense Rooftop Siege
The driver of the stolen Mercedes, a 25-year-old man from Inala, was finally stopped about 4 pm on Ipswich Rd in Woolloongabba. Tyre spikes deployed near the Clem Jones tunnel brought the car to a halt.
However, a 21-year-old man from Acacia Ridge allegedly fled on foot. He climbed onto the roof of a house on Mossgrove Street in Woolloongabba around 4:20 pm, sparking a tense standoff that would last for approximately three hours.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene. "They (police) have been trying to talk him down for a few hours but from what I’ve seen he’s just been walking around the roof," said local Noah Price. Another witness, Winston Mannix, noted the man "felt like he was trying to plan his escape for a while but the cops had it pretty well surrounded."
The suspect, described by police as a repeat offender, was shirtless, barefoot, and had a leg covered in blood from injuries reportedly sustained during the pursuit. Footage showed him ripping a TV antenna from the roof and kicking away a ladder extended by police. Ambulance and fire crews were on standby, while neighbouring residents were advised to stay inside.
The Naked Confrontation That Changed the Game
In a strange twist, neighbour Thomas Gath revealed the suspect had climbed into his home during the chase and confronted him inside his bedroom. "I thought the dude needed help man," Gath told 7NEWS. "I’m trying to get him to lay down and calm down and he told me he wanted my car keys because he’s on the run from the cops."
Gath was nude at the time, an unexpected sight that he believes startled the intruder. "I happened to be unclothed and I feel like that moment of shock I caused him may have been the thing that … he kind of collapsed, that was too much," Gath explained. The suspect then fled to the neighbouring roof.
After a lengthy negotiation, the man eventually climbed down at about 7:30 pm. A witness said, "He was actually nearly expiring dude, he was nearly passing out." He was escorted into an ambulance before being taken into police custody. The 25-year-old driver sustained minor injuries and was also taken to Princess Alexandra Hospital.
Charges Laid as Investigation Continues
David Saunders, 21, has been hit with more than a dozen charges, including unlawful use of motor vehicles, entering dwellings, dangerous driving, trespass, and wilful damage. The 25-year-old Inala man faces four counts of unlawful use of a motor vehicle, three counts of enter dwelling and commit, and one count of attempted unauthorised use of a motor vehicle.
He has been remanded and is scheduled to appear in court on 21 January 2026. Police have stated the investigation is ongoing, with further charges expected.
