Dog walker wrestles fugitive to the ground then high-fives police

‘Straight away, I thought “this guy’s on the run”,’ says have-a-go bystander

A dog walker wrestled a wanted man fleeing from police to the ground and then high-fived the pursuing officers.

Footage captured by Queensland Police shows the moment the quick-thinking bystander floored the fugitive with a “coat hanger” tackle as he attempted to outrun police.

The dog walker, named only as Ian in local media reports, kept the suspect pinned to the ground until officers arrived to arrest him.

He then gave them a quick high five, before continuing his walk.

The 35-year-old has insisted he is not a hero and that he was “just trying to do the right thing”.

He told 7 News: ​“Straight away, I thought ‘this guy’s on the run’.

“I just sort of waited until he got close, turned around and gave him the old coat hanger.”

He added: “It was just instinctive – I hope it worked out for the best.

“He could have had a gun, he could have had a knife, s**t, he could have had coronavirus.

“None of that went through my head when I did it.”

The authorities had been chasing the man, who was suspected to be driving a stolen vehicle, and put tyre spikes under the car to stop it moving.

But the 40-year-old fugitive reversed into another car and escaped on foot before he was caught by Ian and pleaded for him to let him go.

Police have now arrested and charged the man with several car and drug-related offences.