Two Queenslanders who were on the run in outback South Australia, having allegedly entered the state illegally in a stolen vehicle, have been arrested and charged after a major police manhunt.
Alex Blake and his girlfriend were arrested just after midnight following the police pursuit, which began 11 hours earlier and forced the lockdown of the far-north town of Leigh Creek.
Mr Blake, 28, and the woman, 30, who police have not named, had allegedly dodged a border checkpoint entering South Australia on Monday, before stealing petrol from Innaminka and Hawker.
The pair was allegedly travelling in a stolen Toyota Hilux ute.
A video posted to social media last night showed the vehicle avoiding a police roadblock.
Police said they were spotted by the police helicopter in the northern Flinders last night.
After being seen on a pastoral station south-east of Leigh Creek, STAR officers moved in and arrested the pair without incident.
Police said Mr Blake and the woman were taken to Port Augusta and have been refused bail.
Mr Blake was charged with three counts of theft, two counts of dangerous driving to escape police, and failing to comply with a direction under the Emergency Management Act.
His girlfriend was charged with three counts of theft and failing to comply with a direction under the Emergency Management Act.
The pair will appear in the Port Augusta Magistrates Court on Friday.
SA Police said the man would likely be extradited to Queensland once the SA charges have been dealt with.
