The fast and furious
Two charged over wild car park donnybrook
DRUGS are believed to be at the centre of a violent and brazen daylight melee between two groups in a busy Upper Coomera shopping centre car park.
A man was stabbed and another suffered a serious foot injury during the wild incident that police sources have described as “bizarre and violent”.
About 3pm on Saturday an argument broke out between the two groups in the car park of the Coomera Grand Drive shopping centre before a group in the ute drove away, leaving the van behind.
Police will allege those in the ute returned a short time later and rammed the van, injuring one of the occupants and causing serious damage to both vehicles.
Police will further allege one of the occupants of the van, a 19-year-old Coomera man, then got out of the van and stabbed the passenger of the ute in the upper arm.
The man who was stabbed ran from the scene before seeking treatment for the wound at the the Gold Coast University Hospital that afternoon.
A passenger of the van was taken to hospital with a serious foot injury.
A 33-year-old Upper Coomera man was arrested and charged with the dangerous operation of a vehicle.
It’s understood detectives are investigating whether the whole episode was over a drug debt between the two groups.
A police source told the Bulletin it was believed a drug debt gone bad was the cause.
Detective Inspector Brendan Smith confirmed the two groups were known to each other.
“There are no concerns for the public – both men are known to each other and police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the dispute,” Insp Smith said.
“Behaviour such as that seen on Saturday, will not be tolerated and the Queensland Police Service will bring all available resources to bear to bring offenders before the courts.”
The two men charged are both expected to face the Southport Magistrates Court this morning.
Investigations are continuing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.