July 21, 2014
Two men have been charged – and police investigations are continuing – after a melee in the heart of the busy Kingaroy CBD on Friday afternoon, allegedly sparked by a Facebook feud.
Senior Sergeant Duane Frank, from Kingaroy Police, said about 1:30pm a 20-year-old Kingaroy man driving around town in his ute spotted another man with whom he had an ongoing dispute.
This dispute was allegedly linked to the man’s ex-girlfriend, Facebook comments about her and allegations of “inappropriate” photographs published on the social media platform.
Snr Sgt Frank said the man “erratically” parked his car near the old Kingaroy Post Office in Kingaroy Street, grabbed a sledge hammer and rushed over to the hotel.
A group of people in the hotel – which police will allege included the man’s ex-girlfriend – came out and confronted the man.
Members of this group were allegedly carrying two pool cues and an iron bar.
Snr Sgt Frank said the first man went back to his vehicle but was chased across the road by members from the second group, who confronted him at his ute with a second sledgehammer and the iron bar.
The man then got out of the ute and a fight broke out near the Post Office.
As police arrived, the man ran back across the road, narrowly avoiding being hit by a vehicle and causing “traffic chaos”.
He then allegedly became involved in a fist fight on the footpath outside the hotel.
Snr Sgt Frank said police took two men into custody; investigations were continuing and there was a likelihood more charges would be laid.
A 20-year-old man, from Kingaroy, has been charged with going armed in public to cause fear, public nuisance and drink driving (0.047 BAC when the P Plate level is zero).
A 27-year-old Nanango man has been charged with public nuisance.
Snr Sgt Frank said no one was seriously injured during the incident.
