Man shot by police following alleged 200km crime spree in Australia

Man shot by police in Queensland after alleged 200km crime spree. Photo / 9 News

A man has been shot by police after an alleged crime spree that spanned 200km across Queensland this morning.

Police have taken a 25-year-old man into custody following a police chase and a series of alleged violent car thefts in the Wide Bay area.

The accused allegedly confronted a man with a knife at 6.25am in Hervey Bay and forced him out of his car.

A man has reportedly been shot following a police chase on the Bruce Highway. Photo / 7 News

It is alleged he then drove to Tinana in Maryborough and discard the stolen ute just after 7.30am.

He then broke into a home on Three Mile Road West just before 8am and threatened a woman with a knife, demanding the keys to her vehicle.

The woman, aged in her 30s, refused to comply and a struggle ensued, resulting in her being stabbed in the hand.

He then pulled out a gun and fired a round of shots before fleeing the scene.

It is understood the woman was taken to Hervey Bay Hospital but the extent of her injuries is unknown.

It is then believed the man went to another home and demanded a vehicle belonging to a male resident

The resident handed over the keys and the man took off in the white sedan.

Police spotted the stolen vehicle near Tiaro after it crashed through roadworks.

Officers tracked the vehicle as it sped through Gympie and along the Bruce Highway through the Sunshine Coast.

Police used tyre spikes on the Bruce Highway at Parklands to bring the man's crime spree to an end at round 10am.

He was confronted by heavily armed police and was shot during the confrontation.

"The male attempted to run from police but was unsuccessful. He then confronted police with what we believe was the weapon used earlier. At that time he was shot by police," Superintendent Craig Hawkins told reporters.

Man shot by police in Queensland after alleged 200km crime spree. Photo / 9 News

He was shot in the hip before being struck by a passing car.

The Wide Bay district officer said the gunman was well known to police, who had been actively searching for him.

Eyewitness Julie-Ann Kurikawa told the Courier-Mail the man was "lying on the ground bleeding" and the whole thing was like a "movie scene".

"It was very traumatic. I just closed my eyes," she said.

"He was screaming at me, I was panicking."

The man has been arrested and was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital under police guard.

He is reportedly in a serious condition.

A police spokesman said the situation is still unfolding and has warned members of the public to avoid the area.

The Bruce Highway was blocked in both directions but has since been reopened.

The Ethical Standards Command has launched an investigation into the police response.