A 39-year-old Cairns man will face nine charges after he allegedly drove dangerously and attempted to avoid police in a stolen car in the Mossman area on Monday, with officers at one stage forced off the road to avoid a collision.

A police spokesperson said officers initially spotted the man sitting in a Hilux utility with false number plates parked near a Mossman boat ramp at around 5.50pm. They approached the parked car in attempt to arrest the man who was wanted on another matter.

“The driver saw officers approaching and allegedly drove off at speed onto Mossman Daintree Road,” the spokesperson said.

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“Officers activated lights and sirens in an attempt to intercept the vehicle after observing it being driven in a dangerous manner on Syndicate Road. The driver allegedly reversed rapidly towards the police car forcing officers to drive into a cane paddock to avoid a collision. The driver continued south on the Captain Cook Highway towards Port Douglas.”

Police will allege the man earlier forced entry to a Mill Street business at Mossman on November 24 and stole car keys along with the Toyota Hilux.

“The Hilux was located damaged yesterday at Radford close at Gordonvale. It was towed for forensic examination.

“A man was taken into custody following a coordinated police response at an address in Gordonvale early yesterday morning.”

Detectives charged the man with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, evading police, unlawful use of a motor vehicle, unlicenced driving, entering a premises, receiving tainted property, using stolen number plates, possessing tainted property and possession of drug utensils. He is scheduled to appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today.