Far North Queensland police have arrested a man they allege held a woman captive at gunpoint and assaulted her. The 34-year-old, Ryan Symonds, was taken into custody at Miallo, north of Port Douglas, about 4pm on Monday, after the woman escaped on Saturday and flagged down an officer in a marked car.
The woman allegedly escaped from him at Mount Molloy, about 90 minutes north-west of Cairns. Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said in a public appeal earlier on Monday that the woman was allegedly “assaulted on multiple occasions” while being held against her will, going through “a harrowing experience … over a number of days”.
Inspector Goan said officers were grateful the woman was safe and assisting with investigations. Police said they were supporting her with the help of other agencies, and that they have seized a firearm.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The alleged crime raises concerns about the safety of women in regional communities and the prevalence of coercive control.
- The victim's escape and swift police action highlight the importance of public appeals in locating suspects.
- The arrest brings a fast conclusion to a search that began over the weekend.
Background
Police had been searching for Symonds since Saturday, when the woman escaped. The arrest at Miallo on Monday afternoon brought the search to an end. The alleged incident occurred in the rural Mount Molloy area, about 90 minutes north-west of Cairns.
What to Watch
- The charges Mr Symonds will face when he appears in court.
- Any further updates from police on the alleged victim's condition and ongoing support.
Checked
11 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 11 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedA man was arrested in Far North Queensland over an allegation that he held a woman captive at gunpoint.Just In: “Police in Far North Queensland have arrested a man they say held a woman captive at gunpoint and assaulted her.”
- SupportedThe man taken into custody was 34-year-old Ryan Symonds.Just In: “The 34-year-old, Ryan Symonds, was taken into custody at Miallo, north of Port Douglas, about 4pm Monday.”
- SupportedSymonds was taken into custody at Miallo, north of Port Douglas, at about 4pm on Monday.Just In: “Mr Symonds was taken into custody at Miallo, north of Port Douglas, about 4pm Monday.”
- SupportedThe woman escaped on Saturday and flagged down an officer in a marked car.Just In: “Inspector Goan said the woman allegedly escaped on Saturday morning when she flagged down an officer in a marked car.”
- SupportedThe woman allegedly escaped at Mount Molloy, about 90 minutes north-west of Cairns.Just In: “when a woman allegedly managed to escape from him at Mount Molloy, about 90 minutes north-west of Cairns.”
- SupportedPolice allege Symonds held the woman captive at gunpoint and assaulted her.Just In: “Police in Far North Queensland have arrested a man they say held a woman captive at gunpoint and assaulted her.”
- SupportedDetective Inspector Kevin Goan said the woman was allegedly “assaulted on multiple occasions”.Just In: “Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said the woman was allegedly "assaulted on multiple occasions"”
- SupportedGoan described the woman as going through “a harrowing experience … over a number of days”.Just In: “went through "a harrowing experience … over a number of days".”
- SupportedGoan said officers were grateful the woman was safe and assisting with investigations.Just In: “"We're very grateful that she is safe and assisting us with our investigations," he said.”
- SupportedPolice said they were helping the woman with support from other agencies.Just In: “Police said they were helping the woman with the support of other agencies.”
- SupportedPolice said they seized a firearm.Just In: “Police said they seized a firearm.”