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Charges laid over Cairns shooting and serious crash north of Rockhampton in Queensland

The 45-year-old victim was allegedly shot in the leg and it initiated a nine-day search.

Police have arrested a man following an alleged shooting and a serious traffic crash, in an incident that spanned more than 1,000 kilometres.

Detectives from the Cairns Criminal Investigation Branch have charged a 42-year-old Frenchville man following a wounding incident in Manunda, Cairns, on September 9 and a traffic crash near Livingstone on September 16.

About midnight on September 9, 42-year-old John Durham Willey and his 47-year-old female accomplice allegedly attended a Chester Court hotel, where a 45-year-old man from Cairns North was shot in the leg before the pair fled the scene.

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Just after midday on September 16, police were called to a two-vehicle crash involving a Holden Crewman utility and a caravan on Kunwarara Rd in Livingstone, north of Rockhampton.

When officers arrived, firearms and ammunition were allegedly found in the Holden.

The 47-year-old woman fled from the vehicle but was later arrested in nearby bushland.

A 47-year-old woman was arrested after fleeing into bushland near the crash site. Credit: Qld Police
Police found firearms and ammunition hidden near the Holden ute involved in the crash. Credit: Qld Police
The weapons were discovered after officers responded to a two-vehicle crash on Kunwarara Road. Credit: Qld Police

She has been charged with acts intended to maim, armed robbery, unlawful possession of weapons, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, and four traffic-related offences.

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She was remanded in custody and is due to appear in Rockhampton Magistrates Court on November 12.

Following a public appeal, Willey was located in bushland near the crash site and taken into police custody about 10.30pm on September 17.

John Durham Willey, 42, was located in bushland near the crash site and arrested more than 24 hours after the crash. Credit: Qld Police

He has been charged with one count each of acts intended to maim, armed robbery, unlawful possession of a category A weapon, receiving stolen property, unlawful use of motor vehicles, and stealing.

He remains in custody and was due to appear in Rockhampton Magistrates Court today, September 18.

Police thanked the media and the public for their assistance in locating the man.

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