A man who allegedly tried to set another man alight during a neighbourhood dispute has been arrested on the Sunshine Coast.
The 37-year-old is accused of ramming a car into the 35-year-old man's sedan as he was reversing from a garage at a unit complex at Buderim on Saturday.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Mansfield said the accused then allegedly doused the man in accelerant and tried to set him alight.
"The offender is alleged to have tried to spark that lighter five to six times during the wrestle," Detective Senior Sergeant Mansfield said.
Police said the man tried to flee when a 27-year-old woman allegedly stole his car and drove away a short distance before dumping the vehicle.
"That vehicle was located some 500 metres away from the location," Detective Senior Sergeant Mansfield said.
"He really had nothing to do with anything — he just happened to be there at the time and is shaken but otherwise OK.
"He was there with a view of assisting friends to move out to get away from this person, effectively."
Couple were trying to move
Police said the drama began on Saturday at lunchtime when a 38-year-old man and a 22-year-old woman began moving out of a King Street property after an ongoing neighbourhood dispute with the accused man and woman.
The 27-year-old woman allegedly threw a plate at their vehicle.
Detective Senior Sergeant Mansfield said the pair immediately drove away and were pursued by the 37-year-old man, who allegedly rammed their car multiple times.
"The man allegedly drove onto the wrong side of the road and through a red light in order to catch up with them," Detective Senior Sergeant Mansfield said.
The 22-year-old female and 38-year-old male were not injured in the incidents.
"They were moving away from the from the address or setting into motion those very things to avoid this occurring," Detective Senior Sergeant Mansfield said.
'Serious charges' laid
Police attended the scene and took the 27-year-old woman into custody.
Police said she was found hiding in a bin.
She was charged with one count each of unlawful use of a motor vehicle and wilful damage and is due to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court on March 3.
Ongoing investigations led detectives to the location of the 37-year-old man on River Esplanade in Mooloolaba yesterday afternoon.
He was charged with one count each of grievous bodily harm, dangerous operation of a vehicle, endangering the safety of a person in a vehicle with intent, wilful damage, driving with a disqualified licence and three counts of breach of bail.
"They're serious charges of life imprisonment offences," Detective Senior Sergeant Mansfield said.
He said it was important people contacted police during disputes if they feel they are in any danger.
"If there's anything like that happening, call police immediately," he said.
