AFTER 24 years of investigation, a second man has been arrested for his involvement in the alleged shooting of a police officer in a Browns Plains bank robbery in 1999.
And with the man in custody, they’re now hoping others will come forward.
Detective superintendent Brendan Smith said police had received valuable information from the public that helped in the investigation.
“While yesterday’s arrest is significant, we are continuing to appeal to people who may have information about the shooting and who may have been reluctant to come forward earlier to do so now,” he said.
The arrested man, a 54-year-old Woodford man, has been charged with 13 offences including two counts of armed robbery, two counts of acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm or other malicious acts, one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and commit indictable offence, one count of unlawful entry of a motor vehicle with personal violence and seven counts of deprivation of liberty.
He is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court May 8.
In the bank robbery 24 years ago, police officer Neil Scutts was shot to his groin, missing major arteries by millimetres.
His gun, a Sturm Ruger .357 six-shot revolver was allegedly stolen and is yet to be recovered.
The offenders fled on foot allegedly taking two staff members as hostages before stealing a vehicle at gunpoint.
At the time of the incident the offenders were wearing off-white plastic masks, surgical style gloves and were seen to be carrying two-way radios.
On November 30, 2020, police launched a fresh public appeal for information with a $500,000 reward on offer for anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of a person involved.
They later arrested a then 49-year-old Brisbane man on December 22, 2020.
He was charged with 13 offences including two counts of attempted murder, three counts of robbery with actual violence whilst armed, one count of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and seven counts of deprivation of liberty.
Detectives continue to investigate the matter and would like to re-issue their appeal for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
A $500,000 reward for information leading the arrest of a person/s responsible remains on offer.
Picture: Neil Scutts who was shot in the groin in 1999.
