ACT Policing endeavored to perform a traffic stop on a vehicle at the Shell Service Station in Dickson early this morning (Sunday, 13 September).

About 1am, police attempted to speak to the driver of a purple Ford tray back utility. The vehicle was displaying false registration plates.

As police approached the vehicle on foot, the driver immediately reversed his vehicle rapidly from the bowsers to evade them.

As the vehicle reversed, one member was in the direct path of the vehicle immediately before the driver accelerated. Fearing the driver was accelerating directly at him, the member drew his firearm to stop the driver’s actions. Once it became apparent that the driver was not attempting to drive directly at police but rather to evade them, the member immediately re-holstered his firearm.

The driver accelerated rapidly causing his vehicle to slew to the left in a fish tail pattern. The back of the vehicle glanced one of the members who sustained soft tissue damage.

The driver drove recklessly and dangerously, exiting the service station onto the incorrect side of the road. Police did not chase the offending vehicle.

The driver is now wanted for a number of traffic offences.

Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident or have any information that could assist police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via act.crimestoppers.com.au. Information can be provided anonymously. Police remind people they should not report crime information via Facebook and Twitter pages.