Morning round-up

Missing elderly man, Oxley: Police are continuing to search today for missing Oxley man Leslie Winstanley. Mr Wintstanley was last seen around 8.05am yesterday at Seventeen Mile Rocks Road and police hold fears for his welfare. He is 83-years-old and suffers from a medical condition causing him to be disorientated and he has difficulty in communicating. He is described as around 166cm tall, with a medium complexion and grey hair, balding on the top.  He was last seen wearing a green and white striped top, brown shorts and brown shoes.

Armed robbery charge, Surfers Paradise: Two Surfers Paradise men aged 35 and 25 will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court today charged with armed robbery. It is alleged the 35-year-old armed himself with a syringe and robbed a service station on Ferny Avenue yesterday morning before both men allegedly robbed a convenience store on Peninsula Drive. A syringe was also used in this offence. The older man was charged with two counts of armed robbery, the younger man was charged with one.

Firearm charge, Wulguru: Two boys aged 8 and 10 were injured yesterday evening after a firearm was allegedly discharged at Wulguru. The boys had been playing with other children in parkland adjacent to Currie Street around 6.30pm when the 8-year-old was injured in the leg and the 10-year-old in the ankle. The boys’ injuries are not life-threatening. Investigations led police to a nearby residence where they arrested a 31-year-old man who was later charged with two counts of assault occasioning bodily harm and one count each of dangerous conduct with a weapon, discharging a weapon in a public place and possession of an unregistered firearm. He is due to appear in the Townsville Magistrates Court today.

Two vehicle crash, Malanda: Eight high school students escaped injury after their school bus was involved in a head-on collision with a ute at Malanda yesterday. The vehicles collided while negotiating a bend on Merragallan Road around 8.15am. The 55-year-old female driver of the ute was taken to Atherton Hospital with minor injuries. The 61-year-old male bus driver was not injured. Investigations are continuing.

Two vehicle crash, Toowoomba: Three people were taken to hospital following a serious two vehicle crash at Toowoomba yesterday. The collision occurred around 6.35pm between a sedan and a station wagon on Bridge Street. A 19-year-old Newton woman who was a passenger in the sedan was taken to the Toowoomba Base Hospital with life-threatening injuries and later airlifted to Brisbane. The 24-year-old male driver of the sedan, from Newton, and a 60-year-old Oakey woman driving the wagon were also taken to Toowoomba Base Hospital for treatment but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

Non-suspicious fire, Karalee: Two adults, two children and their dog escaped injury this morning after their home was completely destroyed by a fire. Police were notified of the fire at the lowest residence on Perth Street, Karalee around 12.32am. Preliminary investigations indicate the fire is non-suspicious as it is believed a candle being knocked over possibly caused the blaze.

Serious assault police, Torquay: Three men will appear in the Hervey Bay Magistrates Court on December 17 after they allegedly assaulted two police officers at Torquay last night. Police attended a residence on Urangan Street around 11.45pm in relation to a noise complaint, and had issued a noise abatement direction to an occupant when they were approached by three men who were allegedly aggressive towards them. The officers were returning to their vehicle when one of the men allegedly followed and continued to act aggressively. As the officers attempted to arrest the man for public nuisance the two other males approached and allegedly were abusive towards the officers and a can of alcohol was thrown, hitting an officer in the head. A struggle allegedly ensued between the three males and the officers before OC spray was deployed. The three men aged 34, 27 and 26 were charged with public nuisance, obstructing police, assaulting police and serious assault on police. 

Suspicious fire, Townsville: A boarding house on Perkins Street West, Townsville was destroyed after it was engulfed by a fire this morning. An occupant of one of the rooms woke to the sound of a smoke alarm around 12.45am and notified the other residents who fled the building. An emergency situation was declared just after 1am with residents in the immediate area evacuated until the fire was bought under control. The emergency situation was revoked at 2.20am. No one was injured in the fire and it is being treated as suspicious. Investigations will commence this morning by scenes of crime and scientific officers.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day. Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.