Queensland police have had a major breakthrough in "Australia's only unsolved police shooting", where an officer was shot during a 1999 bank heist.
A 49-year-old Brisbane man was arrested in the Logan area yesterday, after a search of seven properties in Logan, Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
The man appeared in Brisbane Magistrates Court this morning charged with a total of 13 offences, including attempted murder, armed robbery with violence and deprivation of liberty.
He was denied bail and is due to face court again on February 8.
Police are still pursuing two other people believed to have been involved in the robbery, which occurred at the National Australia Bank branch at Browns Plains, in Logan, in March 1999.
Senior Constable Neil Scutts and his partner responded to the robbery.
The offenders allegedly held staff and customers at gunpoint and opened fire as the officers arrived.
Senior Constable Scutts was shot in the groin and was unable to walk for months.
Speaking in Brisbane today, Detective Inspector Tod Reid said the officers who responded to the robbery were "very, very happy with the result" when told of the arrest.
"It was quite an emotional call to those officers to pass on that message," Detective Inspector Reid said.
The man's arrest was a result of information received when a $500,000 reward was announced last month.
Detective Inspector Reid described the man's arrest as "a major breakthrough in Australia's only unsolved police shooting case".
He said investigations were continuing, with police close to locating and charging two other people.
He reissued an appeal for information, pointing out the $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of person/s responsible, remained on the table.
Detective Inspector Reid delivered a strong message to the offenders who remained at large.
"We're never going away, if there is a time now to admit what you've done and come forward this would be it," he said.
"We're ready and waiting for you, if you'd like to come forward and surrender yourself to custody and admit what you've done."
