A man allegedly involved in robbing three Launceston businesses and holding a pregnant woman at gunpoint crashed into an oncoming truck on Friday night after losing control of his vehicle at Newstead.
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The two-vehicle crash occurred about 4.40pm during a police pursuit near the intersection of Penquite Rd and Wentworth Street.
Inspector Darren Hopkins said police identified the car used in two Friday afternoon robberies and began the pursuit before the crash.
He said the 23-year-old Summerhill man was in a serious condition at the Launceston General Hospital with pelvic injuries and was likely be airlifted to Melbourne for treatment.
"We believe as soon as police have attempted to intercept the driver, the offender has crossed onto the incorrect side of the road and has then gone to go back onto the left-hand side of the road where he has lost control of his vehicle and collided with the oncoming Isuzu truck," he said.
"[His injuries] certainly makes bringing the offender to the court a little bit more difficult, we will prepare a file, the offender will be placed before the court in due course but obviously his medical condition and his treatment needs to take a priority at this point."
He said the alleged offender's 1997 Toyota Camry was not believed to have been stolen.
The driver and the passenger of the truck were not injured but Inspector Hopkins said they were obviously shocked by what had happened.
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He praised officers efforts to stop what he said he thought would have been a crime spree weekend.
"At this stage we will allege that the youth involved in the crash on Penquite Road was involved with one other male in an armed robbery at the Kmart last night, being Thursday night," Inspector Hopkins said.
"The Kmart, from Thursday night, we understand a trolley load of groceries were attempted to be removed from the premises and the security guard was held at knifepoint as they left the building.
"We will also allege that he has been involved with two other armed robberies on Friday...in the Launceston area."
The second man involved in the Kmart robbery at about 11.30pm on Thursday night is yet to be identified.
The two armed robberies on Friday afternoon, involving a replica firearm, were at the Ravenswood BWS on Castlemain Road and the second at Waverley's Top Shop on the Tasman Highway.
It's alleged the man acted alone on Friday and held a BWS male worker at gunpoint before stealing cash and alcohol.
A short time later a 24-year-old pregnant worker was held at gunpoint at Top Shop and tobacco products and cash was stolen.
Inspector Hopkins said there were some gaps between the whereabouts of the alleged robber from 3.45pm and 4.30pm, and asked the public with any information to contact police.
"Some of the property is not in the vehicle so we suspect that was left somewhere in the process," he said.
Anyone with information should contact Police on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestopperstas.com.au.
