Man flees airport on foot after being caught in coronavirus checkpoint
A man who sparked a large police response after fleeing the Gold Coast airport on foot has become the latest person caught in the net cast by authorities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 24-year-old had flown in from Sydney about midday on Monday, a police spokesman said.
Brisbane Times understands the man passed through screening and checkpoints during which it was discovered he was wanted on a return-to-prison warrant.
After being made aware of the fact, the man allegedly fled on foot through the airport and out across the Gold Coast Highway into a residential area.
Police officers pursued the man on foot and he was taken into custody just before 1pm, the spokesman said.
The Gold Coast Airport, which straddles the Queensland-NSW border, is subject to heightened police presence during the border restriction — along with a number of road crossings in the region.
The man was taken into custody just before 1pm.Credit:Nine News
On Friday, police charged a 24-year-old Waterford man after allegedly finding drugs, a modified pump-action shotgun and ammunition in the boot during a checkpoint stop at Tugun.
The man will front Southport Magistrates Court on August 19 over charges of weapons and explosives, bringing stolen goods into Queensland, forgery and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.
A 23-year-old Lismore woman was also charged with two counts of possessing a dangerous drug (amphetamine and cannabis) and was due to appear in the same court on August 21.