Bob Power, father of two-time IndyCar champion Will Power, has emerged unharmed following a harrowing encounter with an armed carjacker in Toowoomba, Queensland, earlier this week.
The dramatic sequence of events involved a 39-year-old suspect, who embarked on a multi-day crime spree, stealing multiple vehicles at gunpoint across the region. The ordeal began on 4 April in Newton, when the suspect forcibly took a Toyota RAV4 before abandoning it on the New England Highway. Immediately afterwards, he stole a Subaru Forester after firing a gun into the air, and later seized a SsangYong Musso while heading west along the Warrego Highway.
The following day, 5 April, he escalated his actions by robbing a residence on Gormley Street, Lidcombe, before taking a Toyota Land Cruiser. The crime spree concluded the next afternoon in Toowoomba. On 6 April, at approximately 12:50pm local time on Herries Street, between Curzon and Cohoe Streets, police finally apprehended the suspect.
It was at this location that Bob Power, confronted by the armed man, bravely resisted the attempted carjacking. Speaking to 7NEWS Australia, he recalled the tense moments:
“I was wrestling with him a little bit, and I didn’t want him to get in the car. He had the shotgun pointed at me. I said, ‘don’t shoot me.’”
Power added that he had opened the vehicle door to secure his dog when police arrived and swiftly intervened:
“I opened the door up to get the dog out and then the police arrived and pounced on him. It saved the car and me. I was alright.”
A shotgun was recovered at the scene, and fortunately, Bob Power sustained no injuries. Authorities praised the quick response of local police, which brought the suspect’s dangerous rampage to an end.
The incident underscores the rising concern around armed carjackings in Queensland, with authorities urging residents to remain vigilant.
Key Details of Suspect’s Crime Spree
| Date | Location | Vehicle Stolen | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 April | Newton | Toyota RAV4 | Vehicle abandoned on New England Hwy |
| 4 April | New England Highway | Subaru Forester | Suspect fired gun into the air |
| 4 April | Warrego Highway | SsangYong Musso | Heading west |
| 5 April | Gormley Street, Lidcombe | Toyota Land Cruiser | Following residential robbery |
| 6 April | Herries Street, Toowoomba | Attempted carjacking of Bob Power | Police apprehended suspect |
Bob Power’s composure and courage during the confrontation have drawn widespread praise, and the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by armed offenders.
